Features

Earthday/Earthweek Activities Scheduled

SCC’s Environmental Club has a series of informational and participatory activities scheduled for Earth Week. Starting on Monday April 19 there will be tables in the PUB providing information on the Washington Native Plant Society, the Rainforest Action Network, and the benficial role of bats in the environment. Vistors to the information tables will be able to learn about the activities of the Environmental Club while sampling environmentally-friendly shade-grown coffee. On Earthday, Thursday April 22, there will be tables introducing the Carkeek Park Interpretive Center and the work of the Thornton Creek Alliance in restoring one of Seattle’s urban watersheds. A drumfest will also be held Thursday to “beat the drum” for Earthday.

On Friday, City of Shoreline representative Kris Overleese will be available to discuss the city’s involvement with the Interurban Trail. The Master Composters table will provide information on composting and pesticide-free gardening. There will also be a plant giveaway on Friday and a sign-up sheet to participate in the Boeing Creek restoration work party scheduled for the following day.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. volunteers will meet at NW 175th Street and 6th Ave N. to work on the Environmental Club’s continuing project to restore the natural vegetation of Boeing Creek Park. Participants who have them are requested to bring their own gloves, and implements (shovels, pruners, trowels etc), but refreshment will be provided.

All tables will be open from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day. For further details contact Environmental Club advisor Matt Loper at 206-546-4683 or mloper@shoreline.edu.

The artichoke: elegant, delicious and 25 calories

Learn how to prepare and enjoy artichokes during peak season

Kyla O’Neill

Ebbtide Correspondent

The first solid food I ever had was artichoke. On my first birthday I enthusiastically scraped the meaty petals with little teeth that just barely poked through my gums. Eighteen years later I’m still a fan of the prickly, green vegetable. In my family we have artichokes as often as peas or broccoli. That’s why it’s always such a shock to me when I find someone who has never tried an artichoke. In fact, I find that most people are intimidated by artichokes if they’ve never prepared or eaten them before.

For those who have never eaten artichokes, now would be the best time to give them a try. They are in peak season and cost around a dollar a piece depending on where you shop. Although crops are grown year round, the three month period that spans March, April, and May is commonly known as the peak artichoke season. Look for artichokes with a soft green color, compact leaves, and a round shape. Artichokes will stay fresh for about a week when stored in a refrigerator. They are also a healthy option for people on low calorie or low fat diets. According to the California Artichoke Advisory Board, “one large artichoke contains only 25 calories, no fat, 170 milligrams of potassium, and is a good source of vitamin C, folate, magnesium and dietary fiber.” Just don’t go overboard on fatty, calorie-laden dips or stuffing!

While gourmands tout the amazing taste of artichokes stuffed with gourmet ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes or imported cheeses, I prefer my chokes simply steamed. A fresh, ripe artichoke is a lily that needs no gilding. Its mild flavor should be complimented by condiments and flavorings, not masked by them. I can think of nothing more delicious than warm, tender artichoke petals lightly dipped in plain old mayo, melted butter, or a flavored aioli. But the crown jewel is the meaty heart of the artichoke. The process of clearing away the fuzz to find the heart is well worth the effort.

To steam artichokes they should first be washed under cold, running water. Cut off the stem and trim off the smaller, outside leaves as they can be somewhat tough. Place a rack in the bottom of a pot and fill with one to two inches of water. Place artichokes stem-side down on the rack, cover, and steam for 20 to 40 minutes. The chokes are done when a center petal can be easily pulled out.

Photo courtesy of Calif. Artichoke Advisory Board; Shoreline student Kyla O'Neil worte this essay for Communications 221 last quarter.

Speculation over gas prices with few options in sight

Hyun Sung Chung

Ebbtide Staff Reporter

It’s no secret; whether you drive or not, you know someone who has a car and no one is happy with the high gas prices. As of April 2, the average gas price is at an all-time high, and every day, a new record is set with an average of a one-tenth of a cent increase. Washington State has the 10th highest gas prices in the nation at $1.71 per gallon. For now, drivers will have to tolerate the continuing increases, with no end in sight.

Much speculation has been made to answer the question, “Why?” The simply answer is that companies are charged more for crude oil. Crude oil is the substance that’s actually pumped from below the ground. The crude oil is sold to the gas companies that we’re familiar with, and they convert the crude oil to the gasoline that our cars desperately empty our wallets for. It’s stated on abc.com that in just the past 18 months, the price for crude oil has increased from $10 per barrel to $28 per barrel.

One reason for the increase in crude oil prices is that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC – a global organization of 11 countries who supply most of the crude oil for the world), has been increasing the taxes it charges to import its product. As the countries pay more, gas companies charge more to balance all price increases.

PBS online reports that gas companies say the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created higher standards to encourage the production of cleaner-burning fuel, and the transition has increased production costs for gas companies.

Doubters feel there are ulterior motives in the gas prices. A reporter from MSNBC said that gas companies have seen a 500 percent increase in profit in the past two years. It has also been mentioned that because this is an election year, there has been hesitancy by congress to regulate gas prices. Gas companies contribute the most to nomination campaigns; this year they have donated around $120 million toward election candidates.

To add more to rumor, KING-5 news reported last week that the United States has a crude oil reserve reported at 40 million crude barrels. An article in the Missouri Herald-Whig, states that gas companies have produced only 14.6 million barrels of crude oil in the past three months, below the average of 15 million barrels in the months prior to that. The increase in gas prices could be attributed to the production of less gas, and a reserve of 40 million barrels of crude oil would only help the shortage of gas, and subsequently lower gas prices.

But don’t worry, there’s hope. Typically, this time of year always shows an increase in gas prices, although they’ve never been this high. This is peak driving season, and the demand for gas is high.

There are very few solutions. Drivers can carpool, drive less, or move to the Midwest, where gas prices are cheapest compared to the rest of the country. For Washington State, there is a website completely managed by volunteers (http://www.washingtongasprices.com) that reports the highest and lowest prices around the state. However, because it’s operated and reported by volunteers, a limited number of gas stations are reported. Volunteers will report at their own prerogative; if you get gas at a station not listed on the website help fellow drivers out by posting the prices.

Reasonable explanations for the highest gas prices in history? Or is it an unreported profit-making plot by capitalist gas companies. Whatever the reason, everyone will agree that gas prices are at unbelievable rates. Just be patient; prices will drop. They’ll never be as low as they were only a year ago, but they will lower. Just watch how much you drive.