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Thanks for your past attention.
Ruth and Al
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Emergency Preparedness
Anne Isenhart, a volunteer with the speakers' bureau of the Mt. Baker Chapter of the Red Cross outlined the Be Red Cross Ready program for disasters and other emergencies at the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce November 20th meeting.
She listed the essential three steps of the program:
She listed the essential three steps of the program:
- Get a kit - water, food, radio, first aid kit, medications, multipurpose tool, sanitation and person hygiene items, copies of essential documents, important contact information, extra cash, emergency blanket, change of clothing, map and additional items pertinent to individual circumstances.
- Make a plan - identify individual responsibilities, chose places to meet, select an out-of-state contact person, where and how to evacuate, and schedule practice.
- Be informed - Learn what disasters or emergencies might occur, identify how information is communicated, know what actions to take, share what you have learned with family and neighbors. get emergency contact cards for all household members.
For more information visit RedCross.org.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Political Activism
If
you've been reading the COMING UP calender
of the Northern Light or your neighborhood utility pole, you know
that we've been promoting progressive people for office–see our
other blog:
prudentventures.blogspot.com
In
earlier times, the leaders of our community organized forums where
voters could see and hear opposing candidates present their views.
If
you're still looking for information on the 42nd
district state legislature candidates, John Stark at the Bellingham
Herald wrote two excellent articles comparing Natalie McClendon
(October 21) and Matt Krogh (October 22) with their competitors. You
can find these articles on the Herald's site. Go to the search window
to the right at the top of their online masthead.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Fish and Chips at VIA Birch Bay Cafe and Bistro
VIA Birch Bay Cafe and Bistro, the only property on the water side of central Birch Bay Drive, recently opened for business under the experienced eye of Mr. Yoon Oh. This genial and optimistic restauranteur welcomes patrons with a warm handshake and cheerful smile. He offers us boat-side service if we ever paddle up in our kayak.
VIA Birch Bay Cafe and Bistro |
Mr. Oh tells us that, because of his shoreline location, multiple county and state restrictions limit what he could and could not do when renovating the space for his new restaurant.
The main improvement was replacing the musty old carpeting with an appealing hardwood floor. And, of course, the exterior Ivory Palace paint that erased the former dull brown. The dining area, bar and espresso counter offer amazing views of the bay, ever changing with the weather and the tide level.
View of Birch Bay from VIA |
This is the second in our “Who has the best fish and chips in Birch Bay?” series. We order their cod and Al has chips and coleslaw, which come standard, with his; Ruth requests a substitute garden salad ($10.00 each - Mr. Oh does not fool around with .99 prices). We also spring for a shared appetizer of pick ‘n peel shrimp ($8.00).
Farren, our wait person, is a model customer-service person--as is Steve, the manager on duty.
Water and wine (a couple of crisp Barefoot Pinot Grigios–$5.00 each) keep us occupied while we wait for the appetizer. In less than ten minutes, the succulent shrimp hit our table. They with the cocktail sauce are sensational.
Succulent shrimp |
Scrumptious fish with fries |
Scrumptious fish with salad |
When the entrees arrive, the fish batter is crisp and brown, cooked throughout, The cod is moist and scrumptious. The platter comes with a lemon wedge and we request malt vinegar.
The food is fine and upcoming events at VIA include Hallowe’en, New Years Eve and New Years Day Parties. (Oh yes, see PrudentVentures.blogspot.com for an October 28 Conversation with Congressional Candidate Suzan
DelBene.)
Our conclusion is that VIA is a positive addition to the food establishments of Birch Bay.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Sampling Fish and Chips at Shores
Shores,
located in Birch Bay's Sandcastle Resort, is a family
restaurant/sports bar. That makes for a mixed dynamic: sporadically
raucous team fans competeing with youngsters who have neglected to
leave their “outside voices” at the door.
Here to
test their claim as, “The Best Fish and Chips in Birch Bay,” we
order their cod offering, leaving the halibut choice for another time.
Al has chips and coleslaw that comes standard; Ruth requests a
substitute garden salad ($11.99). Christine, our perky and cheerful
waitperson, is attentive and knowledgeable.
Water
and wine (a refreshing 14 Hands Pinot Grigio in a generous six ounce
pour–$6.00 each) keep us occupied while we wait for the kitchen to
catch up with the less-than-over-whelming demands. We scan the
spacious room where bright green and blue wooden chairs contrast with
the mahogany booths and chairs. At least eight television sets keep
the home-town crowd entranced as the Seattle Seahawks best the
Carolina Panthers.
Out
bountiful platters arrive with two large portions of fish and healthy
serving of chips and coleslaw and salad. The fish batter is crisp and
browned on the outside, while slightly gummy on the inside. The cod
is ideal, cooked not too much nor too little. The platter comes with
a lemon wedge to complement the malt vinegar and ketchup available on
the table.
Shores
does not have a declared splitting policy, but Christine assured us
we could order one serving and she would provide an extra plate and
tartar sauce.
Because
it is hard to check out the cleanliness of the kitchen, Ruth has
always depended on the restroom as a measure of the overall sanitary
practices. This one is clean and bright. As in many other places
these days, the former hand-soap dispenser holes gape out of the
counter; the soap is now dispensed by a motion-sensor wall device. Motion
activated units also dispense paper towels. Al described the men's
room as adequately suppled and clean, although it would not make
Achitectural Digest.
Patrons
enjoy the panoramic bay view from the deck on this sunny October
Sunday as well as from indoors.
We
relished our take-home portions the next day. Now the dilemma will be
whether we split an order in the future or anticipate a second
serving.
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