Irreplaceable Wildlife in Seattle

Last night I visited the Burke Museum at the University of Washington for the second time to see the same exhibit- The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World. It's definitely worth seeing at least once, especially on Free Thursdays (no admission fees on the first Thursday of the month). But I was in for an unexpected treat.

Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World is another photography exhibit on display at Burke, which opened July 11. I'm glad I caught it when I did because it will only be on display through Sunday, August 10.

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Mercury Rising

As a resident of West Seattle, I was alarmed at the recent study that reported that nearby plants are spewing mercury into the air. Two of the companies are cement plants, Ash Grove and Lafarge North, whose towering gray smokestacks, cylinders and globe, for me at least, represent the industrial Duwamish.

Apparently, some fuel sources cement kilns rely on to “cook” rocks, like coal, and the materials used in the rock conglomerate, like limestone, contain high amounts of mercury. Yet it wasn’t until recently that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) even bothered to measure how much mercury the cement industry contributed to the atmosphere, land, and water.

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Cursing the Cost of Containers?

About half the time I go to the grocery store, I end up cursing under my breath. All because I have once again forgotten my reusable Trader Joe’s tote bag at home. I love my bag and even get compliments—when I do remember to bring it—from competitors. Not only is it good for hauling about 20-pounds worth of groceries, but it also doubles as an insulated picnic basket.

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