“Would you like to try a piece of my..."

Entrance to Pike Market Center!

Pike Market is a must see when visiting the city of Seattle.  It is composed of a long strip of stands that range from organically grown produce to beautiful floral arrangements that mark up at around $5.00 per bouquet!  My first impression of the market was a bit overwhelming.  As you enter, an instant explosion of senses erupts and creates an almost mind-altering experience. You pass street performers playing a banjo and a swamp, string drum and your nose fills with the music of fresh-cut flowers and crisp fruits and veges! I walked up and down the market getting lost in everything that was happening around me until I found the new love of my life. 

She had an slender body with some curves and a magnificent glow about her.  With a soft body and enhancing aroma, it was difficult for me to turn down her constant enticing advances.  As I approached her, my breathe was taken away and I could barely formulate words to say Hello.  It has been a while since I have fallen in love at first glance, but she made my veins pulse and my heart beat faster.  I had never tried her kind before, which added to the nerves, but I knew that I had to make a move or else.  I dove in, her sweet skin brushed mine and our mouths locked.  Another explosion of sensory overload occurred and I was lost in the moment.  The market had disappeard and it was only us, in this warm embrace.  As soon as it had started it was over and I had to run to my next meeting at University of Washington.  I promised her I would be back for her before I left Seattle, and today I will go back and embrace her once again. 

 

Wednesday, Spetember 8, 2010: The Day I Fell in Love With Golden Nectarines!

Best Freaking Organically Grown Fruits and Veges!

The Famous Fish Tossers

Pepper Trees

Giant Alaskan King Crab Legs....YUMMY :)

Close-Up of One of the Beautiful Bouquets

 

Cheers, 

Bryan      

Millionair Club Charity: Food Service

Mission: To encourage self-sufficiency through jobs and assistance to those that want to help themselves.

http://www.millionairclub.org/flash_videos/vids2.html 

Today I felt instantly welcomed into the Millionair Club family when I arrived at 6am to report for food service duty.  This incredible organization is constantly moving, starting with their breakfast service to over 150 people each morning.  I was put right to work prepping all of the home made dishes Terry, the kitchen manager, had prepared for that morning.  Unlike many food service organizations for the homeless, Millionair Club prepares all of its meals fresh every day in house.  The club has excellent facilities including an entire basement warehouse, which food banks and other organizations are envious of. They receive all there food through donations and spend a minimal amount of money on purchased food each month because of all the donations they receive.  

Terry has been working as the kitchen manager for the past 15 years.  His attention to the needs of those he is serving comes through in the flavors of his cooking and you can taste the passion in every meal.  The rest of the kitchen staff love to joke with one another and are some of the most hard-working people I have encountered.  

Many of us when thinking about homeless services automatically turn to food service and soup kitchens.  The need for these services is apparent and helps in providing meals to those who cannot afford to make or buy their own.  Millionair Club looks at meals a little differently.  The main focus of their organization is to provide members with daily job opportunities that help individuals build up enough self-sufficiency to become employed in a full-time position.  Each meal that the Millionair Club creates ensures a proper amount of nutrients, high protein, and a healthy balance of fruit and vegetables for its client’s diets.  They do this to prepare their clients to work at their best when sent out on jobs for the day.

The Millionair Club has an open door policy when it comes to meal service and anyone is allowed through the doors to get a hot meal for breakfast or lunch.  The population served through this program ranges from the chronic homeless to the recently unemployed and on average they serve between 150 – 300 people for each meal.  On holidays, they sometimes serve over 600 people for one sitting! 

I encourage those of you who have the time to check out your local food service agencies.  Call them up and check to see how they serve meals.  Do they have an open door policy?  If so, are you allowed to come down for a meal and sit with clients?  These are the questions we should all start asking ourselves in order to get involved in our communities.  Start asking those questions people.  Opportunities are only out there for the people who seek them.  Be that person, make that contact, experience community!

Cheers,
Bryan