WTF, Seattle? Part VII. (Community Supported Agriculture)

Seattle, as you might expect, likes its organic food.

There are a plethora of farmer's markets. Seattle's top tourist destination is a farmer's market. Big name Seattle chef Maria Hines (who I have a major food crush on) has two Oregon Tilth certified restaurants (I don't know what that means, either, but supposedly it's really hard to get that certification).

Therefore, it follows logically that community supported agriculture is a big whoop. What is that, you ask? It's when you buy a 'share' of a local farm, and get a shitton of locally-grown organic veggies/fruit every week.

Check out what I got this week for $20: carrots, rainbow chard, red oak leaf lettuce, red beets, strawberries, chives, garlic scapes, and fresh garlic.

A $20/wk share of veggies/fruit from Helsing Junction Farms

Yeah, I'd prolly spend $20 on sh*tty tomatoes and apples that taste like dirt at the supermarket. I'll be getting similar boxes of stuff for the next 17 weeks.

This WTF is one I embrace. Like, WTF, why don't they do this everywhere?

PS. The strawberries are delicious, if you were wondering.

WTF, Seattle? Part VI. (Buttons to Cross Street)

Why do you always have those annoying pressy buttons at large intersections? I haaaaate the buttons. Is it really that hard to change the light to the walk man (not the red hand) every time the light changes?

While I'm at it, why don't you have crosswalks pretty much anywhere except for where you have pressy buttons?

WTF, Seattle? Part V. (Protect Tree Signs)

Seattle, I know you love greenery and the outdoors and such... but what's with all the "protect tree" signs and barriers? Putting up plywood and fliers at EVERY tree at EVERY construction site in the city probably kills nearly as many trees as it saves...

 Tree protection devices at a construction site on 41st Street NE.

Public notice to protect a tree on 41st street.

...But then again, maybe city trees are worth more than other trees... Equality for all trees!?!

WTF, Seattle? Part IV. (Utilikilts)

I'd never encountered the Utilikilt before coming to Seattle. What is up with them, Seattle? Are they hip? Are they so old they're out of fashion now? Has anyone ever seen them elsewhere?

Wikipedia tells me they originate here in Fremont. I first noticed them at their flagship store in Pioneer Square. I've heard about them since in an awkward clubbing story and on this Pemco Insurance radio ad:




So what do you think? Would you wear a Utilikilt?

WTF, Seattle? Part III. (Compostable take out boxes)

WTF, Seattle? Does having fancier take home boxes make you feel special? You'll never ever see plastic-coated cardboard boxes, let alone styrofoam (*gasp*). Mostly, all you get is these compostable doodads:

Occasionally, when you are ordering from a Chinese restaurant, you'll get something out of the ordinary like this one... it's all plastic, and therefore recyclable... but... plastic is bad? I'm confused.

Do you compost your fancy-schmantzy take out boxes? Do you wish you could?

Part III of things that are strange (not bad strange, just different) in Seattle.

WTF Seattle? Part II. (On jaywalking)

Imagine you're walking down a street, it's drizzling (like it does), and you come to an intersection. You look both ways. No cars are in sight, but the light is red. Do you cross?

In Seattle, the answer is a resounding 'NO'. You wait until that red hand turns to a white man, no matter how wet you get in the process.

Does anyone know why Seattleites have a stop sign stuck up their butts? Do you think it's better this way?

Part II of things that are strange (not bad strange, just different) in Seattle.

WTF, Seattle? Part I. (Winter weather)

WTF, SEATTLE??? Why is it January and so warm? I mean, it is still gross that it rains a lot, but at least it's not frigid. You know what I saw today? Flowers. On newly blooming trees. In January. I also witnessed some girl run into the hospital in only her sports bra. IN JANUARY. I wore only a hoodie and was sweating (given, I was still walking at super-human speeds) in JANUARY.

(Weather.com image of Seattle's January 2010 weather)

Seattleites: You down with this? Non-Seattleites: Are you jealous?

Part I of things that are strange (not bad strange, just different) in Seattle.