On February 8, Paul Wilkinson, Manager of Moorage for the Parks Department, announced they had selected Foss Waterway Management to improve and care for the moorage facilities. Foss has “embraced” the goals of the Project Advisory Team as follows: Maintain public ownership of the moorages Provide safe, accessible and affordable moorage for Seattle residents Protect shoreline habitat Improve public access and community benefit without compromising security Create quality facilities that are competitive in the marketplace Enhance the sailing heritage at Leschi Make moorages self-sustaining for ongoing capital upkeep and maintenance Ensure concessionaire quality with performance measures and regular auditing of the new concessionaire contract Both Paul and a representative of Foss will attend our April 7th meeting to discuss timelines and to answer any questions. ~Diane Snell

Editor's note: our art critic Susan Platt has taken a different slant on culture this month. She looks at the spa culture as experienced at the Central Area Senior Center. And now for a different kind of culture column!! On a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon, I joined the Pampering Spa Day at the Central Area Senior Center. I arrived with the ladies of Hearts for Humanity who were donating their talents as beauticians to the Senior Center for that afternoon. They were a cheery, beautiful group. As I walked in with them, carrying the tools of their trade, I felt my spirits rise already. They set up their various skills, haircuts, facials, manicures, hair braiding. We each chose two services for our contribution. Not only were the Hearts for Humanity women incredibly uplifting to just be around, all the people waiting for services were also delightful. And the Senior Center put out a big spread of food that kept us all busy while we waited for our turn. But, the spa service was definitely more than the nails, hair and facials that they offered to people who were on the down side of society. They offered a sense of joy! As I sat with the masque over my face and the cucumbers on my eyes, the low hum of conversation around me was soothing. When I left with my renewed and refreshed face, people bid me farewell as though we were old friends. I had come with low spirits and left with a sense of community and contentment. And of course, the Central Area Senior Center view over the water on that beautiful day was an added bonus. Here is the vision of Hearts for Humanity Social Services: “We want to bring our Self- esteem and Therapeutic Salon package to as many needy people that utilize shelters, convalescent homes, and schools as we can. We are interested in touching the lives of the people that are overlooked by society and often taken for granted by most people; the broken, the weary, the abused and the forgotten.” When I inquired who came to the Senior Center, they sent me this statement: “Our names are Gina Vaughns, McKenzie Brown, Corin Brown, Queenie Bradford, Zonie Brown, Lucretia, Jackie Juarez and Virginia. We are Case Managers, Chemical Dependency Professionals, Medical Assistants, Domestic Violence Advocates and Licensed Hair Stylists. The Director, Corin Brown, also works at the Downtown Seattle YWCA and Catholic Housing Services. We all have many years of volunteering for food banks, shelters, schools and convalescent homes. Our “Grooming for Success Program” builds self-esteem inside and out for those in educational training programs and low income elementary and junior high students. We cater to all individuals and families that reside/utilize drop in centers, shelters of all types, the mentally/physically ill, etc. We love our work and our 100 volunteers.” Hearts for Humanity is truly generous spirited. The people on the margins do not have luxury in their lives in any form. This offers them an opportunity to feel special for an afternoon. ~Susan Noyes Platt, www.artandpoliticsnow.com

I have met the moon and it was a good experience. I had a breakfast meeting with our website guru, Allan, and we both enjoyed our breakfast entrees. Allan chose the Classic Breakfast and commented on how nicely spiced the sausage patty was. I fully indulged and ordered the Crispy French Toast, which was served with a healthy dose of black raspberries and an embarrassing dollop of whipped cream. I quickly spread the dollop over all the French toast so it didn’t look like I was eating my way though a whipped cream Mt. Rainier. It was delicious; the crispy toast held up nicely to the berries (no sogginess at all). I can’t resist berries in any form and these berries were delicately flavored with some kind of liqueur. Our meeting lasted longer than our food, but our waitperson was very gracious. No one was waiting for a table. Service was excellent and although the décor is very modern with a black and chrome look, it still felt cozy. Both of us felt guilty about returning home empty-handed, so I took a huge chunk of sour cream coffee cake for my spouse and Allan took a blueberry muffin to his wife. Jim said he had planned to save half the chunk of coffee cake, but it was so good, he just kept eating. The Classic Breakfast was $12 and the French toast was $14 (but it was breakfast and dessert combined!). I want to go back for lunch and for dinner; stay tuned. Meet the Moon 120 Lakeside Ave., 206-707-9370 Hours vary–check website. No Reservations. ~Diane Snell

The Judge Ronald House was recently designated as a landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Board, and it appears to be the first designated landmark in Leschi. We have such a rich history here in Leschi; surely there must be other landmarks that have not gone through the process to achieve the designation. And a process it is! Jeff Moidel, owner of the Judge Ronald House, has wanted this designation for some years, as it gives the home more protection from exterior changes. The house has been on the National Historic Register since the 70’s, but this offers little protection and indeed, the house went through many changes since it belonged to the Ronald family. Jeff learned that it had been a boarding house, a drug rehab center, a daycare center, a halfway house and an evangelical church in its past. And how did a concert pianist (as Jeff is) find himself the owner of an historic house? Jeff said he was living in Leschi, a few blocks north of the Ronald House, and would drive by it often and think what a great summer (or winter) house this would be! When he had to leave the place he was renting because it was being sold, he drove around the area to look at possible houses to buy. To his surprise, there was a sign on the Judge Ronald House and this mansion soon became Jeff’s first “starter” home in 2002. Wherever he went, he needed to have room for a baby grand piano and this house certainly met that criterion. Jeff was won over by the house itself with its spacious rooms and a graceful setting and not so much the historical background as he knew little of that. He said that the paper carrier brought him an article about the house and that was his first awakening to the possibilities. He learned that a Judge Ronald luncheon was scheduled in the next two days and called the Shoreline Historical Museum to inquire; he was invited to the luncheon and there he met the descendants of Judge Ronald, including Betty Runstad, a granddaughter in her 90’s who was to be Jeff’s mentor and source for historical accuracy when he decided to restore the house. This was a process that took several years; inside the house, there were popcorn ceilings, paneling on some walls, institutional carpeting throughout (even in the defunct fireplace!) and florescent lights. The outside was a challenge as well; aluminum siding has been installed in the 60’s and the original ornamental pediments on the windows removed. The chimney had been knocked down, thus the defunct fireplace now painted silver inside and carpeted. Jeff’s interest in restoring the house was fueled by Betty Runstad’s memories and books that he was given: Centennial Snapshots: Historic Places Around King County from the First Twenty-Five Years of Statehood [Paperback] available from Amazon; Where the Washingtonians Lived: Interesting Early Homes and the People Who Built and Lived in Them by Lucile McDonald, also available from Amazon; and Reflections Along the Wayside of Life, by Judge J. T. Ronald himself; edited by Mildred Tanner. This was published by the Shoreline Historical Museum and is available there. Neighbor Tom Henry was his main contractor and he worked wonders recreating the pediments for the windows. New lighting, new moldings and quarter sawn oak floors installed. Only one room has carpeting now. Jeff tried several times to get a 4Culture grant to pursue landmark designation but failed to do so. And then the criteria for the grant were rewritten, specifically allowing homeowners to apply. Jeff was awarded the grant and hired a preservation specialist to help with the research. The report took 6 months to put together and then there are two stages to the process. First there is a presentation to get a recommendation for landmark status from the Board; this was given unanimously. Then a second presentation is given to get the designation; again the decision was unanimous. Jeff said that two Ronald great-grandchildren testified at the second hearing. To qualify for the designation, one has to meet one of six criteria and the Judge Ronald house met 3 of the 6 criteria: 1) It is associated in a significant way with the life of a person important in the history of the City, state or nation. 2) It embodies the distinctive visible characteristics of an architectural style, a period, or a method of construction. 3) It is an easily identifiable visual feature of its neighborhood or the City and contributes to the distinctive quality or identity of such neighborhood or the City. The Leschi Community Council sent a letter in favor of the designation, remarking that Leschi has a rich historical past, but not much has been preserved and indeed, this is our first Landmark! Jeff said that the architecture was found to be neo-classical revival, influenced by the Beaux Arts movement around the time of the Chicago World’s Fair (1893). The house was built and added on to in the years 1889-1904. The original house had a south portico which is shown in photos and could be added to the current structure under the guidelines. When the restoration was finished, Jeff and his fellow musicians performed a concert for Betty Runstad and family, which probably took Betty back to the glory days of this grand house she spent so much of her youth in. Leschi is grateful to Jeff for this massive restoration undertaking and the additional work of going after the landmark status. The plaque on the front fence was created by the Shoreline Historical Museum. ~Diane Snell

My husband likes to study Yelp emails and recently announced that Lotus Thai had been chosen one of the 10 best restaurants in Seattle. So a few days later, we ended up there. It is colorful, but do wear a sweater as the front door doesn’t close properly and one of the jobs of the waitperson seemed to be closing the door emphatically as she also deftly took orders and handled the take-out crowd. The place is small, but the main business seems to be take-out although several booths were filled with eat-in customers when we were there on a Thursday. The menu is extensive as with most Thai restaurants, and we took our time to peruse the menu and the posted specials before ordering. A word of warning: the servings are very generous. I have been to Thai restaurants where a plate is beautifully arranged, but let’s face it: there’s not enough food there for a picky 2-year-old. Not so at Lotus! You will be taking some home for the next meal! There is a take-out menu on line but I couldn’t find either of our dishes on this menu. I ordered Rama veggies with Peanut sauce and my husband ordered Garlic Chicken. I asked for three stars but the server looked at me closely and said I should take two stars! She did allow my husband to order his dish with three stars. There was not too much heat in either dish, but I worried that I had a white bread with Velveeta look about me that I was not previously aware of. The servings are VERY generous, as I mentioned. A heaping mound of rice, but not short on the other ingredients, and my husband’s chicken looked like an entire half breast. My only quibble was that the peanut sauce was thicker than I like: more cornstarch? It tasted good, but I would prefer a lighter sauce. I was able to order brown rice with my dish and there was no additional charge. My husband enjoyed his dish and said there was not too much garlic (in truth, we have only had too much garlic once in an Italian restaurant where we ordered garlic spaghetti.) The menu prices include the tax so it’s pretty easy to figure out your bill. Disclaimer: When I checked YELP, it was NOT in the top ten restaurants, but was number one in the top ten Thai restaurants in Seattle. The top ten included Pike Place Chowder, which I consider a good lunch place, Toulouse Petit which we reviewed last month, and The Pink Door, which is one of my two most favorite restaurants in Seattle, the other being Ponti. Happy Eating in the New Year! So many restaurants, so little time! Lotus Thai Restaurant 206-323-9445, 2724 E Cherry St. (next to the new Fats at the NW corner of MLK and Cherry) ~Diane Snell

May 10, 2016—Attending: Yousef Shulman, Yuki Igarashi, Amy Fink, Diane Morris and Diane Snell. Janet Oliver came to say good-bye as she is leaving the Board and to congratulate the new Board. John Barber was attending the Colman Park meeting; Tracy Bier in Alaska. Minutes to be approved by email. Treasury report: Amy has the records and software for QuickBooks. She will bring everything up to date and make a formal report in June. Amy brought up concerns about safety for cyclists with all the construction going on at the lake. She will connect with cyclists to hear their concerns so we can take steps. She also felt we needed some traffic police during Seafair Thursday through Sunday. It was decided to publish the Bicycle Sundays schedule in the June newsletter as well as Bicycle Rules of the Road. Parks: Although John could not attend this Board meeting due to conflict, he did submit a written report. John discovered that Michael Shiosaki of Parks wants us to raise $700 toward a Spray Park rather than open the wading pools. At this point, the Garfield CC, Madrona CC and Squire Park CC all support Leschi’s desire for the wading pools to be reopened. Letters of support will be directed to Shiosaki with copies to Jesus Aguirre (Parks Superintendent) and Kshama Sawant, District 3 City Councilmember. John has not heard back from Steve Wilson yet about the stipulation of a large donation several years ago to expand the North Leschi Marina, but permit only sail boats in that marina. A former neighbor in John’s area owns a steep, wooded lot and now wants to build a house there, to sell on completion. Both John and neighbors are concerned due to environmental issues and this lot is part of privately owned lands identified in the Leschi Natural Area to save by conservation or purchase by the Parks Department. John wants to schedule some work parties to help maintain green spaces in Leschi, especially the shoreline street ends and the Leschi (Lake Washington Boulevard) Gateway Project. Website: Yousef. He submitted Kirsten’s proposal for moving the website to new host and redoing it in WordPress for easier updates. Yousef is familiar with WordPress and felt he could handle the updates. Vote: four ayes; one abstention. Stairway: Diane Morris. June: Randolph stairs. She will scope out other stairways for our summer months: July and August. Newsletter: Early deadline due to June meeting being on June 1. Need bio info for both newsletter and website, as well as contact info for masthead and internal Board use. Community Concerns: A-frame signs for businesses; safety at Jackson and 23rd; Colman Neighborhood had requested letter of support for their application, but Board had many questions; will learn more at CANDC meeting on May 12. Next Meeting: Yousef said we will set goals for the year; he will appoint chairs of committees. ~Respectfully submitted by Diane Snell

BOOK REVIEW Neil Barofsky’s book Bailout: An Inside Account of How Washington Abandoned Main Street While Rescuing Wall Street says it all in the title. A lot of us have already come to the opinion expressed in Barofsky’s title, just based on our observation of our landscape, littered as it is with bankrupt businesses and lost homes; but few, not being inside the D.C. beltway, would believe that the atmosphere in Washington could be as arrogant and dismissive of the interests of the rest of the country as Barofsky details it. His perspective on the scene is from a perfect vantage point: that of the Special Inspector General of TARP, the fund created to save us from financial meltdown in 2008. He, a true outsider, was appointed by President Bush through an unusual agreement between Democrats and Republicans who were both fearful of the potential vulnerability to fraud that TARP represented, perhaps sensitized to this by the Iraq experience. Barofsky was a relatively young (38) very hard-hitting Federal prosecutor from the New York Southern District office. His appointment was a surprise to many due to his age and experience. His experience was in prosecuting fraud cases and drug kingpins from Columbia. Apparently what they wanted was an extremely bright, industrious, fearless, prosecutor, and it appears, from this story as it unfolds, that is what they got. I will not try to relate the complex financial details or the highly charged personal interchanges. I will just say that if the reader wants to learn how the world of power politics really works, instead of reading a Baldacci thriller, this is the book. The war stories he tells as he confronts the Washington top bureaucracy of Justice, Treasury and White House, both Democrat and Republican, are tales of regulatory capture. Here is just a normal person, wanting some of the vast sum of taxpayers’ money going out the door to efficiently fulfill the purpose, stated in the TARP statute and proclaimed by the White House. It was supposed, in part, to relieve the millions of homeowners in danger of losing their homes. Very early, he is invited out to lunch and told that if he wants to survive and have a career in his chosen profession, he needs to moderate his positions. This is the polite approach. Later, it gets really vicious. Refreshingly, he names names. In 2011 after accomplishing as much as he believed he could, primarily by appealing to bipartisan supporters in Congress, getting some attention in the press and some educational criminal prosecutions, he resigns. A measure of the respect Barofsky has garnered is reflected in the prominent mention of him recently as a potential nominee for the Chairmanship of the Securities and Exchange Commission. (Oh, memories of Ferdinand Pecora. If that name and the “Hellhound” moniker puzzles the reader, my book review of “Hellhound” can be found on the leschinews’ website.) One of those recommending him was M.I.T.’s Simon Johnson, late of the IMF. The book, in 2012, got the usual cool treatment for such works. The thrust of the reviews was that TARP prevented total meltdown and we should be thankful for that, and that the sums that went to the banks had to stay there to preserve the financial system. There was little acknowledgement of Barofsky’s claim that the failure to reform big banks sets us up for an even worse meltdown in the future. A notable exception at the time was a detailed review by the esteemed financial editor of the New York Times, Gretchen Morgenson. But this year, as the paperback edition is being brought out, there seems to be a much more serious consideration of the book’s position in the great wave of bailout books. Perhaps a widespread awareness of the disastrous performance of the mortgage adjustment program which Barofsky criticized has set in. Peter Osnos said in the Atlantic Monthly, the book “deserves a place in the judgment of history”. Jon Stewart said he had read ten books on the subject, and if he had read this one first he could have skipped the rest. My sentiments exactly. This book tells one all that needs to be told of the mindset of Washington versus the interests of the rest of us. If only Barofsky had had the bipartisan Senate and Presidential support that was given Pecora in 1933. After reading and listening to these accounts, one is left with the distinct feeling that priorities are out of whack, not only on Wall Street, but in the political parties, universities, the Federal Reserve, the Congress, and the White House. America’s great pride was that its system worked reasonably well for everyone. What has happened? I say a first necessary step is to change the way we finance elections. Petitions have been started around the country. Our Senator Adam Kline has introduced SJM 8002 requesting an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to allow the Congress and the States to regulate election finance. Many professionals say “no chance.” But history shows amendments can pass quickly when there is enough demand for them from below. The Nineteenth Amendment, giving women the right to vote, was ratified in a little more than a year, despite great resistance. ~Jim Snell

BOOK REVIEW Here, five years after the Great Recession began, we seem to be mired in a jobless recovery. What happened? Plenty of books have been written about it. I have read a few. Michael Lewis’ The Big Short is an easy and entertaining read which gives a good description of CDO’s (collateralized debt obligations). However, he perpetuates the self-excusing notion that only exceptional people could have foreseen the disaster. He, in fact, was one of those writers who had denied the danger of the oncoming bubble. A good book, looking at one of the really big operators who made enormous profits during the crash, is Gregory Zuckerman’s The Greatest Trade Ever . It tells the riveting story of John Paulson’s enormous bet against the housing bubble. There were others, who made great sums but who were also involved in the purposeful construction of these dangerous CDO’s while betting against them. An instructive view of this strand of the story and its seamy political aspect can be read at a Wikipedia article on the hedge fund, Magnetar. Yves Smith’s book, Econned , asserts that the economics profession has been co-opted by the same incentives that have corrupted the corporate world. She, a Wall Street expert, is disturbed that leading economists take the view that the economy is self-correcting and so we just need to sit back and wait. The prominent economist Joseph Stiglitz is a very distinct exception. In his latest book he views the mess we are in from the 50,000-foot perspective of a top insider ( World Bank and White House ), yet with the sympathy of a small “d” democrat for the workingman. If you have the stamina to plough through even a part of The Price of Inequality, you will feel you have gained a sense of what is really going on here. There are lots of holds on it at the library, but not on his DVD kitchen table talk. Neal Barofsky has written of his experiences as Special Inspector General for the TARP Fund that was voted by Congress. The Fund was not only to prevent a melt-down of the economy but deal with the millions of homes subject to foreclosure. He feels the provisions of the law that called for adjustment of mortgages were not followed by a Treasury too beholden to the banks. His revealing talk on KUOW’s Weekday for March 15 can be replayed on your computer or smartphone. I highly recommend it for an up-to-date sense of the priorities felt at the Treasury Department. Jon Talton writes of the dismal prospects for a vibrant job recovery due to robotization. See his Seattle Times column of February 28th. And now there is talk of our being inflicted with another questionable presidential election outcome because of changes in various states’ election procedures for selecting their representatives to the College of Electors. As a result, we could have a president chosen by a minority of the voters, a sure prescription for big trouble. And then there is global warming. Bill Moyers dedicated a program to that, mid-month on PBS. Listen to his expert interviewee and lose more sleep. ~Jim Snell

When I moved back to Seattle Aug. 2014, I drove around Leschi and Mt. Baker looking at yards. I was pleasantly surprised to see many new, more sustainable yards and gardens. Those yards that may look a little disheveled and unkempt are actually the types of yards that pollinators love. Well-manicured lawns are a thing of the past, although it is sometimes difficult to convince our families and loved ones of that. As a compromise I’m leaving my front yard as is (for now), but the backyard is mine to do as I please. And I plan to let it get a little wild with plants that attract pollinators, especially our native bees. These little guys need our help! They are losing their homes and their food supply is getting scarce. They are disappearing. This is due to many factors, including commercial and residential development, pesticide use, use of non-native plants, which our pollinators won’t eat, and which further destroy habitat by crowding out the native plants that have evolved with native pollinators. Why do we care? These insects pollinate many of the fruits and vegetables that we eat. Without bees, there would be no apples, pumpkins, strawberries, or many other fruits and vegetables that we love. Canada and the U.S alone grow more than 100 crops that need pollination. How can we help? The solution is easy. Plant flowers. Plant flowers that are native to your region and that attract pollinators. A small sunny spot in your backyard or front yard is all that you need. Plant a large variety of nectar and pollen-rich flowers. Color matters; bees like bright blue and violet. Planting large groups of flowers of the same color or kind attracts bees much better than single, individual flowers scattered throughout the garden. Include a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the season. The flowers of certain trees, vines, shrubs and herbs attract pollinators. Plants for bees When choosing plants to attract bees, the first choice is native plants. Native wildlife and native plants are adapted to each other and to our climate. Also native plant species from local gene stock are adapted to our summer drought conditions and can thrive without fertilizer, pesticides (a no-no), pruning and other maintenance. When you buy native plants, ask for local stock. Some native plants to consider: Aster, Goldenrod, Penstemon, Sunflower, Rose, Clarkia, Nootka Lupine, Thrift, Yarrow, Common Camas, Columbia Lewisia, Trillium, Wood Sorrel. These are only a few. Other garden plants and non-natives that attract bees: English Lavender, Blue Columbine, Hellebore, Purple Coneflower, “Autumn Joy” Sedum, Bee Balm, Sea Holly, Globe Thistle, Russian Sage, Daffodil, Crocus, Cosmos, and many more. Herbs that bees love: Thyme, Borage, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Lemon Balm, Mint. Helpful resources Real Gardens Grow Natives, by Eileen Stark Attracting Native Pollinators, by the Xerces Society ( www.xerces.org ) The Pollinator Partnership ( www.pollinator.org ) The Washington Native Plant Society (www.wnps.org) Urban Bee Project ( www.urbanbeeprojectseattle.com ) This is truly gardening to save a planet, one backyard, one container, one p-patch and one community at a time. ~Ruby Holland

March 8, 2016—Attending: Kim Murillo, Tracy Bier, John Barber, Jeff Floor, Yousef Shulman, Diane Morris and Diane Snell Treasury Kim Murillo paid the initial invoice for the Frink Park wetland project: $15, 630.29. The funds came from the King County Conservation grant. John Barber said he had completed the reporting on the Powell Barnett project and we would need to reimburse Parks for that project. We will receive a $25,000 check from the fundraising efforts which we will then turn over as a check to Parks. LURC Jeff spoke about HALA and will write an article for the newsletter o DADUs.. Parks John Barber announced the grand opening of the new adult outdoor fitness equipment at Powell Barnett Park on April 30 10-12am. John asked about a date for Flo Ware Day (not known yet.) Website Yousef said we would be meeting with Kirsten Hopperstad to discuss the next steps. Stairway project Parks Diane Morris: Stairway project will clean the stairs by the Senior Center on March 18. April program restoration project in Colman Park and Moorage plans with Parks and Foss; elections at May meeting. Donations Diane S. gave some history on the LCC donation program. Our informational material on letters and the subscription forms highlight our support of the Senior Center and Leschi Elementary School. These supports derive from a survey we did a few years ago; the public response endorsed support of both the school and the Senior Center. Diane S reported that Captain Paul McDonogh announced at the Feb. EastPAC meeting that the annual East Precinct picnic would be held at Powell Barnett Park on July 16. ~respectfully submitted by Diane Snell

Backyard birding is a wonderful way of observing wildlife from the comfort of your own home. In all seasons, it’s possible to attract a steady flow of birds to a well-stocked and well-positioned bird feeder. The green spaces that punctuate the shores of Lake Washington attract a wide variety of birds that may be passing through in any season. The parks and gardens in Leschi and Madrona provide an abundant source of food, shelter and nesting habitat for songbirds. (Bushtits feasting on a suet feeder.) A well-sited feeder can animate a garden and help observers develop an informed understanding and appreciation of some of the amazing wildlife that is probably outside of the window - right now! Collectively, by feeding birds together, our neighborhood has the potential to be a sanctuary for birds! This mini-guide is based on my experience of attracting some of our feathery friends to gardens in Madrona and Leschi, and it is not intended to be comprehensive. The lists of birds that I have provided are based on the birds that I have seen in my backyard. (Downy Woodpecker) Please note: Basic hygiene is essential with feeders and they should be cleaned on a regular basis – this minimizes the transmission of viruses. Tip: If possible, buy a feeder with a tray underneath to catch any discarded seed. Many birds like to feed off of the discarded seed that ends up on the ground, however, in urban areas they are easily predated by cats (I own one too), so I prefer to prevent any uncontrolled spillage. Furthermore, discarded food is likely to attract mice and/or rats. (House Finch) Backyards To become a backyard birder, you don’t even need a backyard! I lived in a downtown apartment with a tiny balcony, but I was still able to attract a steady stream of finches and chickadees. A balcony will suffice but a garden with any shrubs or trees nearby is likely to attract a much wider variety of birds. Please note: Anna’s Hummingbirds overwinter in Seattle. They are at the northernmost edge of their winter range in NW America and as a result are extremely susceptible to temperature changes. If their feeders freeze over, or are not cleaned and replenished at least twice a week, the chances of your hummingbirds surviving the winter are severely reduced. Before even thinking about feeding hummingbirds in winter (or any other birds), please consider the commitment that will need to be made to ensure that they survive! (Anna's Hummingbird) Tip: Binoculars come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I would recommend a pair of 8 x 32 magnification binoculars that can be purchased from an Audubon store that specializes in birding optics. Feeders, Food and Birds There are a number of different types of feeders that are available and they are all effective in attracting different types of bird when sited correctly. I use all three of the commonly available types listed below, but any one will provide you with years of joy if they are well stocked: 1. Squirrel proof seed feeder – the metal caged feeders are the best and, if you buy one with more than 6 holes, you won't have to fill it every other day. When choosing a feeder, select one that has a canopy to protect the seed from rain. Seed for the seed feeder – It’s possible to buy a wide range of seeds for your feeder but by far I find sunflower heart chips to be the most successful in attracting a wide range of locally common species. Sunflower chips are expensive; I find it cheaper to buy several sacks that will last me through the winter! BIRDS: Northern Flicker Black-Capped Chickadee Chestnut-Backed Chickadee Red-Breasted Nuthatch Spotted Towhee (ground) Song Sparrow (ground) Golden-Crowned Sparrow (ground – winter) Dark-Eyed Junco House Finch American Goldfinch House Sparrow 2. Squirrel proof suet feeder – I prefer the metal caged varieties that hold at least two blocks of suet; the greater the capacity, the less it will need to be refilled. Suet blocks for suet feeder – Suet blocks are fantastic at attracting other types of birds that do not frequent seed feeders and they tend to last a long time. The blocks come in a number of varieties where the suet is mixed with berries, seeds or even insects. I find the insect varieties work best. BIRDS: Flicker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Stellar’s Jay Bushtit Red-breasted Nuthatch Yellow-Rumped Warbler Townsend’s Warbler Bewick’s Wren 3. Hummingbird feeders – These tiny birds with their flashy iridescent colors are the jewel in the crown of the birds that can be attracted into a backyard. It’s also possible to attract hummingbirds to feed right next to a window, which allows for fantastic close-up views. Hummingbirds are attracted to anything red, so most feeders on the market consist of a clear container to hold liquid food solution and a red plastic feeding station. Hummingbird feeders are the cheapest of feeders to buy, BUT they are the most difficult to maintain, and careful consideration should be given before getting one. By nature, hummingbirds are highly territorial and once established, they will defend their feeder from other hummingbirds that may take an interest in what they consider to be their food supply. Food for hummingbirds – I feed hummingbirds with granulated white sugar diluted in warm water on a ratio of five parts water to one part sugar. BIRDS: Anna’s Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird (mainly summer months) Two Other Essentials The two other things that a backyard birder should consider buying are: Field guide – It’s always nice to be able to identify what you are looking at! There are lots of field guides available, some that focus on birds in Seattle and some that focus on Washington; my preference is for The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America. Binoculars – It helps if you can see what you are looking at! Although binoculars are not absolutely essential (especially if feeders are located near windows), they help with identification, and the views that are attainable with modestly priced optics are probably worth the investment. So long as you commit to filling your feeders up, you will be rewarded with a constant stream of different birds at different times of the year. Siting Feeders Garden birds do not particularly like feeding in the open where they are likely to be predated, so you will attract more birds by locating your feeder near to shrubs or trees where birds can shelter from any danger. Always site feeders high enough off the ground so that they are out of reach of cats - seeing the beloved Townsend's Warbler that frequented your feeder in the jaws of your neighbor’s pet is not what any backyard birder wants to see! Don’t situate them above plants where cats can hide in wait. A feeder situated above a clear area will provide ground feeding birds with a better opportunity to flee if a cat is present. Birds likely to be predated on the ground include sparrows, towhees and juncos. Seasonal Variations There are significant variations in the types of birds that can be attracted to your backyard that are based on the types of trees and even the aspect of a property. For example, woodpeckers are more common in areas with localized tree cover than in areas that don’t have many trees. Some birds are very specific about the type of habitat that they need. Where you live in Madrona or Leschi and where you locate your feeder will determine the type of birds that you attract. Uncommon Birds By attracting birds into your garden, it’s possible that you will also attract other birds that associate with flocks but that don’t feed on your feeder. I’m not sure whether this occurs because birds have their curiosity aroused by the activity of other birds, but several times this year Red Crossbills have been present within large flocks (charms) of Pine Siskins. At any time of the year, it’s possible to attract less common birds, so always expect unexpected visitors! Here are a few of the less common birds that I’ve seen in my backyard whilst living in both Madrona and Leschi: Hutton’s Vireo Western Scrub-Jay Western Tanager Yellow Warbler Townsend’s Warbler Wilson's Warbler Cedar Waxwing Spotted Towhee Red Crossbill Evening Grosbeak Birds of prey like Coopers Hawk and Sharp Shinned Hawk are also likely to be drawn towards the small flocks of songbirds that congregate near your feeder(s). When these stealthy predators strike, be prepared for some natural attrition - this hobby has everything to do with bringing the natural world into your backyard! Remember to occasionally look up, too! Overflying birds that I have seen include: Turkey Vulture Merlin Peregrine Falcon Bald Eagle Vaux’s Swift For those living closer to the margins of Lake Washington, the opportunities to observe additional species abound, but for now this article is for budding backyard birders! Perhaps that is for another day. All photographs were taken in my backyard - © Clive Lissaman 2013 Useful Resources Feeder Manufacturers Duncraft - http://www.duncraft.com Local Stores Selling Feeders The Nature Shop Seattle Audubon Society 35th Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98115 www.seattleaudubon.org/sas/TheNatureShop.aspx Seward Park Environmental & Audubon Center 5902 Lake Washington Blvd S Seattle, WA 98118 http://sewardpark.audubon.org Wild Birds Unlimited Overlake Square 15155 NE 24th St. Redmond, WA 98052 http://redmond.wbu.com Free Online Resources Free web based field guide with songs and calls - Birdweb: http://www.birdweb.org/birdweb/index.aspx Free local bird news and stories by email – Tweeters http://www.scn.org/tweeters/ Advice from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/backyard/ APPS Audubon Birds, A Field Guide to North American Birds – by Green Mountain Digital Sibley eGuide to Birds of North America – by mydigitalearth.com Field Guides Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America – (2003) David Sibley, Random House Inc Birds of Seattle and Puget Sound - City Bird Guides (1996), Lone Pine Publishing Birds of Washington State, (2006) Brian H. Bell and Gregory Kennedy, Lone Pine Publishing About Clive Lissaman Clive has had a lifelong interest in birds and has travelled in Europe, Africa, North America and Asia in pursuit of his hobby. Clive is an Arts Education Consultant working locally and internationally on a wide range of projects. Clive and his family lived in Leschi for about two years and recently moved to Madrona.

BOOK REVIEW Though the title implies that this is another book on the stock market, it is, rather, a review of the history of America’s experiment with democracy and of the difficulties that experiment has entailed over the years. It includes, of course, a prophecy. This might sound depressing and dull, but it is not. For those who are not familiar with Thom Hartmann through his many books and his daily call-in program on KBCS, it should be made clear that he is an unabashed progressive, totally committed to social democracy. His beliefs conform to those of Jefferson and he frequently cites Jefferson’s letters in support of his views. This is lively in its combativeness. His enemy is monopoly capitalism and the excessive inequality in welfare and political power that it causes. The surprising phenomenon of the insurgency of Sanders and Trump may make this book especially timely for those who have turned away from politics in disgust. The failure of both parties to deal with the nation’s economic problems has clearly contributed to terrible rates of voting participation over the years. Yet the excitement generated by Obama, (quickly disappointed) and the emergence of the current insurgents may indicate a political sea change in activism is in progress. The question at hand is whether this will lead to more or less effective political representation for society as a whole, and whether its effect upon the general welfare will be beneficial. Hartmann argues that removal of big money as an influence in politics, the universities and corporate news media is key. If you are wondering what all the fuss is about among the Bernie-ites, this book will present their point of view with lots of easily digested historical references as backup, going back to Aristotle and forward through Lincoln to FDR. His analysis of our problems relies heavily on Jefferson’s radical thoughts on the need for periodic adjustment of the laws to current circumstances. Jefferson believed the living generations (about two) should deal with their own welfare, and not be bound to past generations’ ways. Hartmann also believes in the existence of a “Great Forgetting” by the generations, which explains the recurring 80 year cycle since the 1760’s of financial excess and crash, war, reform, and a return to concentration of wealth. He refers to Arnold Toynbee and current historians in this matter. They see a cycle consisting of about four generations during which the experience of the difficulties of the previous period disappear from the cultural memory, allowing the cycle to continue. His hope is clearly that the historically unprecedented explosion of the middle class after WWII and the Roosevelt reforms might break this cycle through better education and welfare. But the middle class must be preserved as essential to this. To my mind, his material on the effect of tax and trade policies since the early 80’s on our middle class is most important. He bears down on the influence of reduced tax rates on corporate leaders’ decisions to either invest in their company or take money out in the form of bonuses, salaries, stock options and dividends. The reduced tax rates begun by Reagan are seen as inducing this tendency to take the money and run, letting domestic investment in technological advancement languish. He sees the offshoring of wealth and jobs and a turning to international banking financial legerdemain as a direct result of the lowering in tax rates for the very wealthy begun in the 80’s. He believes this has led to the breaking of the domestic circulatory flow of production and employment and the subsequent reduction of demand for production within our economy. This in turn, has caused the great disparities in income and wealth we have experienced. In this regard, it is persuasive that writers, such as Forbes columnist, Eamonn Fingleton and Reagan’s former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and associate Wall Street Journal editor Paul Craig Roberts, support this analysis. In fact, Roberts is so fervent a convert that he advises his readers to read deeply and take-to-heart the writings of Michael Hudson, a Socialist economist. Hudson advocates government infrastructure investment, and student and consumer debt forgiveness, as necessary to escape the debt-deflation trap we are mired in now. And our own Nick Hanauer advises his fellow billionaires to take heed, that the pitchforks may come if they don’t soon embrace reform. Change is certainly in the wind. ~Jim Snell