Raises $42,000 for Puget Soundkeeper Alliance

"To your health, Seattle; eat more oysters." -Emmett Watson

Oyster-loving Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels proclaimed March 27, 2007 "Oyster Day" to honor the 18th annual Anthony's Oyster Games & Shucker's Ball*. In a day of contests, fun, food and drink, 600 celebrants at the sold-out, popular, rite-of spring event consumed 30,000 oysters while raising $42,000 to support the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance's clean water programs. Greeting revelers and joining in the fun at the event, Mayor Nickels commended Anthony's for generously sponsoring these games dedicated to bringing celebrities, elected officials, local restaurants, the oyster industry, clean water organizations and the public together to have fun while emphasizing the importance of preserving oyster habitats and the quality of Puget Sound waters. Seattle's Mayor also had a few unflattering words to say about the U. S. Olympics Committee's "cease and desist" order regarding the use of "Olympics" in the event known as Anthony's Oyster Olympics for 17 years.

What better way to show her husband she cares, Vanessa Love thought, than with a fantastic meal.

Fancy pasta dishes, desserts, a scented candle, chocolate-covered strawberries and rose petals already held court in her shopping basket. But she paused when she reached the abundant self-serve "salad garden" at West Seattle's Metropolitan Market.

Radicchio or mizuna? Baby greens or romaine?

Time for Ilga Westberg to come to the rescue.

Grocery stores continually strive to stand out in a competitive industry. Some offer rock-bottom prices. Others aim for an unrivaled selection of organic produce, takeout meals or kosher meats.

Among its many charms Metropolitan Market's six locations offer what the Seattle chain calls Red Coat Service. Think of those times in the store when you longed for Mom, Uncle Harry or Grandma's advice on Thanksgiving stuffing, how to season flank steak or a great treat to tote to that office potluck.