White Center Now: The blog about White Center

6 pm tonight, it’s the first White Center/South Delridge Community Safety Coalition meeting of the year, St. James Place, 9421 18th SW (map). Previous White Center Now coverage of this group’s meetings is archived here.

No doubt you could have gotten this piece of news from the front cover of the New York Times or the Seattle Times.   Apparently 1,400 of the initial cuts will come from the Seattle area.  Here at Cafe Rozella we have quite a number of MS employees who use the cafe as their third office.   The layoffs will significantly impact White Center and West Seattle.  I have some calls out to some economists to give us a gauge of just how hard this will impact us.  But make no mistake about it, this will have an adverse impact on Puget Sound are and White Center.

Make no mistake about it, this is bad news for Microsoft and the Seattle area.  Since Microsoft got a license to print money in the mid-80s, it has never contracted.   As if you needed another indication that this is not going down well, MS stock went down after the announcement.  The money people view this as a portent of further ills to come.  And even Ballmer, who never fails to spin a positive tale out of anything, was pretty circumspect in his outlook.  Bottom line is that we are seeing a period of negative growth for Microsoft.

LOCATION:  El Paisano is located at 9629 -15th Ave. SW, Seattle 98106  They are just off the intersection of 15th Ave. SW and Roxbury (across the street from Bartell Drugs).

Phone:  (206) 767-5526

They accept credit/debit cards.

I really have not been writing enough for this blog. I can blame it on a lot of things; life, my new business, lack of sleep, the snow, etc, etc. Really it is just that I am a little lazy. I have to eat though. Actually I love to eat, and most of the time that I do it is in walking distance of my shop, which is most of White Center. So, I decided to start blogging about my lunches on Thursdays. This is my afternoon off. I go shopping, play with the dogs, and get ready for the weekend rush. Not really a day off, but a bit more relaxed then the other days.

First up is Rosticeria y Cocina El Paisano. I go here a lot. It is not the closest Mexican place. Not even the cheapest. It is one of the best though, and reminds me of home.  Consistently good. I know when they set a plate of food in front of me, no matter what I have ordered, the food is going to be good. That is almost the definition of comfort food.

The area I grew up in LA was predominantly Mexican, and poor. MY parents, and I swear this is true, would open up a paper when it was time for a new apartment, and just pick the cheapest place. We lived in Compton, Silver lake, Echo Park (before it was trendy), Santa Ana, even when we moved to Huntington Beach it was in the Hispanic area that was known as Slater Slums. In all those neighborhoods I became familiar with Rosticerias, even if it was an EL Pollo Loco. See, my parents are from the midwest, and if is anything they know well, it is their way around a yard bird and pork. We ate at all of the local chicken joints. Cesars on Atlantic and 65, Pablo’s on Alameda, Pollo Macho on  Wilshire, even Rosco’s ( which is not Mexican, but makes a mean fried chicken and waffle platter). When I first moved to Seattle, one of the things I missed most was Mexican food. I craved El Pollo Loco,  the bottom of the barrel in LA. Mama’s in Belltown, and Bimbo’s on the hill is crap food. Not just not authentic, just crap food. I was amazed when I found White Center. So much good food, in one little area, and the rest of Seattle had no idea it even existed. Rosticeria y Cocina El Paisano is the best in chicken. It is owned by the butcher shop two doors down. Sure, the carnitas is better at Del Rio. I can get an equal burrito at the bus for less. As far as chicken goes, Paisano is king.

Marinated in an adobe chili mix, and then flame roasted. Crsipy skin, and a juicy bird. The sides are simple, and plentiful. Rice, beans and a simple salad. Shining right next to that crispy bird is the house made salsas. Most Mexican places in Seattle seem to have a can opener as their main tool is salsa prep. Not these guys. I have become leery of Salsa Verde since moving to Seattle, but Paisano’s have nailed it. Flamed roasted tomatillos and just the right amount of chili heat from the peppers to compliment the food. They are now serving Breakfast as well as lunch and dinner, so the next time you venture out to eat, stop by this place.

According to the Social Security Administration, the most popular baby names in Washington State have distinctly biblical and literary quality.  The most popular boy’s name for 2007 (last year of complete records) is Jacob.  The most popular girl’s name is Olivia.  The list of the top ten Washington names is as follows:

Boys

1. Jacob

2. Ethan

3. Alexander

4. Daniel

5. Logan

6. Noah

7. Benjamin

8. David

9. Michael

10. Samuel

Girls’ Names

1. Olivia

2. Emily

3. Emma

4. Sophia

5. Isabella

6. Ava

7. Abigail

8. Madison

9. Elizabeth

10. Hannah

The most popular names nationally are Jacob and Emily.  It’s almost a certainty that Jacob and Emily will have a classmate named Barack.

Just west of White Center, Shorewood Christian School has been expanding into the high-school grades, and just sent this announcement of its upcoming open house:

(Shorewood Christian School) will be having an Open House on February 10th from 8:30am-3pm. The early enrollment process for the 2009-2010 school year has begun.

Celebrating their 29th Anniversary, this is a big milestone year for Shorewood Christian. The high school is currently in the expansion development phase with this upcoming school year being the first year offering 10th grade. Each subsequent year, they will be adding 11th, and 12th grade. By the year 2011, they will be a full service school offering prekindergarten through 12th grade. The school is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and is approved by the State of Washington. Shorewood Christian School is open to many denominations with over 20 churches represented in their student body and staff.

Students at Shorewood Christian benefit from an unparalleled educational experience. It is a school of academic excellence, offering specialty classes including Spanish, Music, Drama, P.E., Art, Typing, Home Economics, and Bible. Currently, their athletic program includes: Flag Football, Cross Country, Track, Volleyball, and Basketball. In addition, they are also taught how to give back to the community locally and to the world globally by participating in such projects as feeding the homeless, serving at food banks, visiting nursing homes, and going on mission trips abroad.

Tim Lorenz, Principal of Shorewood Christian, explains, “”I am very excited about what God is doing here at Shorewood Christian School. The decision to move forward and expand into a high school program is an important and logical step for us. I believe our students (at all levels – elementary, secondary, and ultimately college) ought to be instructed from a Biblical worldview which emphasizes first and foremost a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Out of that relationship, we want to help students cultivate their gifts and talents so that they may be used for God’s Kingdom and glory. For me, it is all about coming alongside parents and laying a firm foundation spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically as well as giving our students opportunities to hear God’s voice and surrender to His call and purpose for their lives.”

Shorewood Christian is committed to not only academic excellence, but also keeping education affordable. Their tuition is one of the most affordable private school rates in all of Seattle! K-6th grade is only $440/month, 7th & 8th grade is $470/month, and 9th & 10th grade is $590/month. For more
information on the open house, arranging a private tour, or to enroll, you can contact them at: Shorewood Christian School, 10300 28th Ave. SW Phone: 206-933-1056 www.ShorewoodChristianSchool.org

Tonight at Full Tilt we have an amazing band out of Minniapolis. A Paper Cup Band. A dirty folk Wilco influenced group of players. They are playing a set here tonight starting at 8pm. Something not to be missed.

From Alison, who lives near Evergreen High School:

I just discovered that our garage on the far side of our yard has been broken into. Doesn’t look like anything was taken, if the thieves had looked through the window they would have discovered that it looks like a bomb went off in there and its impossible to get past the door. Equally annoying was the fact they ripped the hasp off the door-the padlock was not locked since it got water in it. We don’t keep anything of value in there so it was all for naught on the thieves part. I guess with the way things are people are pretty desperate, but I don’t think tarps and plastic flower pots really fetch much at the pawn shop these days.

King County Sheriff’s Office has burglary-prevention advice online.

From locally based MSNBC.com – the Oath of Office and Inaugural Address, in their entirety.

Finally. We are having an inauguration party here at Full Tilt at 6pm. Come on in and enjoy $2 Root Beer Floats with Full Tilt’s own Rat City Root Beer.  To help out with the Soles for Souls shoe drive, we will give $1 for every beer sold, yes even the PBR.

That sign points the way to the Boys and Girls Club at Greenbridge, home base today for a big MLK Day/Day of Service event – with volunteers fanning out through White Center-area neighborhoods to distribute important info to local families. Glad the weather is cooperating for everybody working on DoS events today all over our area.

Your wood-burning fireplace and stove are now offlimits unless they’re your only “adequate source of heat.” Here’s why.

*Schools closed
*Most government offices closed
*Most banks closed
*No regular-mail delivery
*Metro runs “partial holiday” service
*Seattle pay-station/meter parking spaces are free

Full Tilt is having an inauguration party Tuesday starting at 6pm. No TV, just friends celebrating. It is potluck style, so bring something to share.

Also, Full Tilt has a new website. www.fulltilticecream.com

Two politics notes:

White Center resident Asha Mohamed is on the 34th District Democrats‘ executive board after the group’s reorganization meeting this past Wednesday night; she was elected as King County Committeewoman Alternate. Her bio in the 34th DDs’ newsletter explains:

Asha is the newly elected PCO for Evergreen precinct in the heart of White Center. She … speaks five languages and will be a big help with our organizing in the fast-growing but under-represented East African communities in our District. Asha works at the Seattle Housing Authority.

Asha is one of two White Center residents on the newly elected 34th DD’s Executive Board – secretary Miki Meahan lives here too. The group is now led by newly elected chair Tim Nuse; follow all the 34th DDs’ happenings at their website, 34dems.org.

Also – 34th District State Senator Joe McDermott, elected last fall to his first full term in the State Senate, has expanded his website to include blog-format updates and even a podcast. Find it all here.

Seattle city road crews have been busy re-striping bridges and roads where snow and sand wore away the lane markings during Snowstorm ’08 — and the latest update indicates that their priority list includes 1st SW from Cloverdale to Olson Place, between White Center and Highway 509 (the stretch shown above in Google Street View).

No school today for secondary students in Highline Public Schools; Monday, MLK Day, is a holiday for all students in HPS (and other districts).

From the Seattle Times, the man accused of shooting and killing 38-year-old Dar’Rel Miller of White Center at the Federal Way Transit Center a year ago has just been set free, charges dismissed just before his trial was to begin. The Times article doesn’t say why; a P-I story does – quoting a prosecutor’s office spokesperson as saying the man no longer was considered a suspect.

From partner site West Seattle Blog but potentially of interest to White Center/Highland Park-area parents: Concord Elementary, which is in South Park but is included in Seattle Public Schools‘ “West Seattle South” cluster, is trying to get the word out about its unique Two-Way Bilingual Program, and there’s a parent-information meeting next week. Concord PTA president Susie Clark (who is also a teacher, at Madison Middle School) explains, “The dual language program is unique in that is gives our native Spanish speakers a chance to learn reading and writing in Spanish and our native English speakers have the opportunity to learn Spanish starting in kindergarten with 30% of their day in Spanish and increasing to 70% by the time they are in 5th grade.” Susie sent along the informational brochure – it’s in two parts, here and here. Interested families are welcome to attend next week’s meeting, 6:30 pm January 21, 723 Concord Street (map). Susie is also happy to answer questions (e-mail her at sgclark@seattleschools.org).

We at Cafe Rozella like to stock high quality coffee, (which is why we carry Lighthouse Roasters).  Today, however, I had the experience of tasting the most exclusive and most expensive coffee in the world, Kopi Luwak.  Good friend and customer, John Barry, brought some “weasel coffee” by, which he picked up when he trekked in Asia with his son.  When he offered to share some with me, needless to say I was game.  My review below but first a primer on Kopi Luwak.

The Civet whose dung produces the coffee beans

Kopi Luwak is literally the most expensive coffee in the world, costing upwards of $600 a pound or $50 for a cup of coffee.  “Kopi” is the Indonesian word for coffee and “luwak” is local name of the animal which eats the raw red coffee beans that make up this coffee.  The Luwak is rodent, a civet, which eats the ripe red coffee beans and then excretes the beans. The civet dung is then harvested and dried and processed like regular coffee beans.  There are various theories as to why the digestion of the beans by the civet yields such exquisite coffee beans.  One theory holds that the civet only picks beans that are at peak maturity and hence perfect for harvest.  A wiki article explains the process as follows:

A popular and intuitive hypothesis to justify this coffee’s reputation proposes that the beans are of superior quality before they are even ingested. At any given point during a harvest, some coffee berries are not quite ripe or overripe, while others are just right. The palm civet evolved as an omnivore that naturally eats fruit and passes undigested material as a natural link to disperse seeds in a forest ecosystem. Where coffee plants have been introduced into their habitat, civets only forage on the most ripe berries, digest the fleshy outer layer, and later excrete the seeds eventually used for human consumption. Thus, when the fruit is at its peak, the seeds (or beans) within are equally so, with the expectation that this will come through in the taste of a freshly brewed cup. As this may be true for the beans derived from wild-collected civet feces, farm-raised civets are likely fed beans of varying quality and ripeness, so one would expect the taste of farm-raised beans to be less.

Further research by Dr. Massimo Marcone at the University of Guelph (CA) has shown that the digestive juices of the civet actually penetrate the beans and change the proteins, resulting in their unique flavor.

Civet Dung

I am generally not shy about trying exotic foods (heck I live in White Center), so when John offered to let me taste some “weasel coffee” I naturally took him up on his offer.   The fact that the coffee comes from civet dung was of little consequence in my mind.  Hell, most people eat testicles and other parts of the animal that horrify me.

Ok, so is it worth $50 a cup?  Well, I liken it to a very good wine.  Would I drink it every day, no but I might splurge and try it on a special occassion.  That said, the coffee was exquisite.  First, the coffee has a velvety, almost chocolate consistency to it.  It is sweet, not unlike a good red wine varietal.  As well it is very smooth, with no hint of bitterness.  The richness of its flavor affects the whole mouth such that you can hold it and taste with every part of your taste buds.  Very pleasant and smooth.

After it goes down, it has nothing of the jolt quality that a regular cup of espresso would give.  Rather, there is a pleasant buzz, almost like you get from a fine cigar.  All in all, the best cup of coffee I have tasted.  But is it worth $50 for a cup?  Clearly not in desperate economic times.  But, next time I travel to Asia, I’ll make a point of picking up a couple of pounds.   If you would like to taste it, drop me a line and pledge a donation to the White Center Food Bank.  Winner gets a cup of the finest coffee in the world.  Cheers and bottoms up!