
Community Log & News Digest
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Comments on items posted in the Editor's Log are welcome in the Forum and via the Comment link following each article (members only). Selected items by participating bloggers are also posted to the Community Log as indicated by the by-line beneath the respective articles. Arts reviews and commentaries may include opinions by the writers that are not necessarily shared by the editors or publishers.
DOGE attack on food security reaches Seattle
According to The Seattle Times a food bank in South Seattle, planned to provide storage and services for local farmers and hunger relief groups, has been canceled due to funding uncertainty at the federal level. The project, known as South Seattle Food Hub, has been funded by a $4 million reimbursement grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, was expected to open in fall 2026. The cancellation comes as food aid groups brace for a potential spike in demand, highlighting the ongoing need for more storage facilities to address food insecurity in the region.
Battery Battle Intensifies in Nevada
A battle over a discarded-lithium-battery repository is roiling residents in NW Nevada, we've learned from a correspondent. The repository is located near residential neighborhoods surrounding the small town of Fallon.
Reports indicate that the process of approval has neared its final stages. This moved us to examine where these batteries originate. We asked Perplexity.ai to search the web for answers with the query "What american companies' products generate large volumes of waste lithium batteries? If possible list the top 10."
Results suggest that recycling may in the long term be a better solution, leading to the conclusion that requiring interim storage by manufacturers might create a greater impetus for them to solve the problem without permanently contaminating anyone's back yard. Of course this would go against the common tendency of industry to externalize negative effects (dump the problem on the public; can you say Love Canal?) would lead to reduced profits for device makers and would be strongly resisted, which in the current political environment could bode ill for the natural environment.
Perplexity replied, with a bit of additional background:
Noting the presence of Tesla in the list of manufacturers, it seems unlikely that any role for the federal government in environmental protection for the affected area will be a factor, for reasons that will be clear to anyone currently drawing breath. —Ed.
Reports indicate that the process of approval has neared its final stages. This moved us to examine where these batteries originate. We asked Perplexity.ai to search the web for answers with the query "What american companies' products generate large volumes of waste lithium batteries? If possible list the top 10."
Results suggest that recycling may in the long term be a better solution, leading to the conclusion that requiring interim storage by manufacturers might create a greater impetus for them to solve the problem without permanently contaminating anyone's back yard. Of course this would go against the common tendency of industry to externalize negative effects (dump the problem on the public; can you say Love Canal?) would lead to reduced profits for device makers and would be strongly resisted, which in the current political environment could bode ill for the natural environment.
Perplexity replied, with a bit of additional background:
Based on the search results, I can identify several American companies whose products contribute significantly to lithium battery waste, though there isn't a definitive ranked list of the top 10 by volume. Here's what we can determine about major sources of lithium battery waste in the United States:
Major Contributors to Lithium Battery Waste
Current Recycling Landscape
Several American companies are actively involved in lithium battery recycling to address this growing waste stream:
The search results indicate that there is currently "a war for batteries" among recyclers in North America, with recycling capacity (estimated at around 230,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery shredding capacity in the US in 2024) far exceeding the available feedstock (expected to be just 90,000 tonnes of scrap batteries from end-of-life and manufacturing scrap).
It's worth noting that the EV battery recycling market is still developing, as there aren't yet many end-of-life used EV batteries in the recycling stream. There is a considerable time lag between when EVs are produced and when their batteries reach end-of-life.
Major Contributors to Lithium Battery Waste
- Battery Manufacturers
- Currently, the largest source of recyclable lithium battery material in the US is not from consumer products but from manufacturing facilities. According to Thomas Frey, director of communications for lithium battery recycler Ascend Elements, "Today, the biggest source of recyclable lithium battery material is gigafactory manufacturing scrap." Battery gigafactories typically have an 8-10% scrap rate during production, creating significant volumes of waste that require recycling.
- Electric Vehicle Manufacturers
- While specific rankings aren't provided, several major American EV manufacturers likely contribute significantly to lithium battery waste:
- Tesla - As one of the largest American EV manufacturers, Tesla's production inevitably generates substantial battery manufacturing scrap. Tesla is mentioned as one of the top US-based battery materials companies through its subsidiary Kato Road, LLC.
- General Motors - As a major American automaker transitioning to EVs, GM likely generates significant battery waste both from manufacturing and eventually from end-of-life vehicles. The search results mention GM has partnerships with recyclers like Li-Cycle.
- Ford - Another major American automaker with growing EV production that would contribute to battery waste streams.
- Tesla - As one of the largest American EV manufacturers, Tesla's production inevitably generates substantial battery manufacturing scrap. Tesla is mentioned as one of the top US-based battery materials companies through its subsidiary Kato Road, LLC.
- Consumer Electronics Companies
- While not specifically ranked in the search results, American consumer electronics companies likely contribute significantly to lithium battery waste:
- Apple - Their widespread smartphones, tablets, and laptops contain lithium batteries that eventually enter the waste stream.
- Dell/HP/Microsoft - Major American computer manufacturers whose products contain lithium batteries.
- Apple - Their widespread smartphones, tablets, and laptops contain lithium batteries that eventually enter the waste stream.
Current Recycling Landscape
Several American companies are actively involved in lithium battery recycling to address this growing waste stream:
- Redwood Materials: Founded by Tesla co-founder J.B. Straubel, this company recycles more than 6 GWh of lithium-ion batteries annually in its Nevada facility.
- American Battery Technology Company (ABTC): Based in Nevada, ABTC has been building a facility with the capacity to process 20,000 metric tons of recyclable material per year.
- Cirba Solutions: With multiple plants in North America, Cirba Solutions is described as "one of the largest producers of black mass from recycled batteries".
- Battery Resourcers: Opening what was planned to be North America's largest battery recycling facility in Covington, Georgia, with capacity to process 30,000 metric tons of discarded lithium-ion batteries and scrap per year.
- Ascend Elements: Planning a facility in Kentucky that will convert black mass to battery precursors and cathode material, eventually producing enough for 250,000 electric vehicles per year.
The search results indicate that there is currently "a war for batteries" among recyclers in North America, with recycling capacity (estimated at around 230,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery shredding capacity in the US in 2024) far exceeding the available feedstock (expected to be just 90,000 tonnes of scrap batteries from end-of-life and manufacturing scrap).
It's worth noting that the EV battery recycling market is still developing, as there aren't yet many end-of-life used EV batteries in the recycling stream. There is a considerable time lag between when EVs are produced and when their batteries reach end-of-life.
Noting the presence of Tesla in the list of manufacturers, it seems unlikely that any role for the federal government in environmental protection for the affected area will be a factor, for reasons that will be clear to anyone currently drawing breath. —Ed.
Glazed Salmon Delights as Entree, Salad topping

Ingredients
- 1 pound center-cut salmon fillet, skinned and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, divided
- 1/8 teaspoon salt plus 1/4 teaspoon, divided
- 5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
- Chopped fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Directions
1. Position oven rack 4 inches from heat source; preheat broiler. Toss salmon pieces with butter, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Arrange the salmon pieces in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Broil until lightly browned, 6 to 7 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, mustard, brown sugar and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each pepper and salt together in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer, stirring occasionally, until a thick glaze forms, 6 to 7 minutes.
3. Brush the glaze evenly over the salmon bites. Broil for 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter; garnish with basil, if desired.
Leftovers (unlikely): Add to tomorrows salad, along with mixed microgreens. Omit the iceberg lettuce.
Credit: After some "influencer" on the 'net.
Get off my lawn, Don!

Someone has to come forward and speak the truth. It cannot be a political opponent; it must, as in the fable, be someone pure, innocent and without purpose or guile.
Brothers and sisters, if you need an excuse, vote for VP Harris and Gov. Walz as mere caretakers and earn another choice in 2028, proposed by an embarrassed but reawakened and honest (R) Party. The clearly unprepared JD Vance is not qualified to step into the presidency, and the likelihood of Tr*mp making it to 83 having resumed speaking in complete sentences are not great.
(Image: Former president D. Tr*mp, indicating to rally participants where to look at the Sun during an upcoming eclipse. Courtesy Smoldering Stump Gazette and Creative Commons.)
Vance Whopper Channels Musk, DOGE minion

Vance claimed that 40% of calls to Social Security (SS) are fraudulent, but the Social Security Administration stated that only 40% of direct deposit fraud is associated with calls to change bank information.
The administration is targeting Social Security, a beloved program, due to its significant portion of the federal budget. While the administration claims fraud is a concern, the actual percentage of fraudulent calls is minuscule compared to the total number of calls and benefits paid.
The actual numbers: SS receives about 80 million calls per year. Forty percent would be about 32,000,000 calls, which Vance claimed are fraudulent (actually echoing an earlier statement by Elon Musk).
About 18,000 of those calls are regarding changes to deposit routing, mainly about changes to recipients' bank accounts. Of those, 40% (around 7,000) were found to be attempted fraud, many of which resulted in no loss of money. Seven thousand is in fact 0.9% of all calls, or less than one fortieth of the number claimed by Vance.
Overall, SS estimates its losses to fraud at 0.0025 percent, or about the relative amount Americans toss into that jar of coins in the bedroom.

The article goes on to point out that the error originated with a careless estimate by one of Musk's young DOGE partisans, who, while no doubt very good at coding, is not so good at placing decimal points.
The Post gave Vance's claim Four Pinnochios (of 5) on its truth scale.
The 'Hands-off' tally is in

According to one report compiled using an AI search, attendance estimates ranged from 18,000 to 25,000 participants. Seattle Center officials estimated a minimum of 18,000 attendees, while organizers' crowd counters estimated 25,000 people.
This event was part of a nationwide series of protests against the Trump administration's policies, with over 1,100 rallies held across all 50 states.
Hands-off rallies draw thousands

Your Vote is Your Voice

And the winner is...
Let's suppose for a minute that a newly elected president of the US has been elected and is able to get Congress to
• pass legislation expanding health care, including confirming the principles and major provisions of Roe v Wade, rendering the Supreme Court irrelevant in the matter
• pass a plan for loans (or grants or tax offsets) for first-time home purchase and small business startup
• pass the border reform act that was both introduced by Republicans and then killed by that same party
and
• pass a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College in favor of direct popular vote for president and vide-president and sending it to the states
• letting justice take its course regardless of political considerations in the matter of persons who have conspired or acted against the Constitution or have been convicted of other crimes
• accepting blame and being willing nto change course when policies misfire.
Now let's suppose the other person is elected, whose program would include
• reducing benefits, excluding participants and transferring public funds from Medicare and Social Security, principally to reduce taxes, including creating laws on female health care that are solely pro-natal and assign all medical decisions to unelected, politically appointed bureaucrats with no scientific training
• using police and military power to round up people based on their appearance, accent or name
• separating families based on their ability to provide ad hoc documentation of their nationality notwithstanding that they had been seized without warrant
• deporting those who cannot satisfy politically appointed bureaucrats of their right of residence with consequent loss of property and civil rights
• attempt to manipulate voting rights and procedures to insure continued power of a minority
• pardoning persons based on political considerations of persons who have conspired or acted against the Constitution or have been convicted of other crimes
• blaming every misstep on the actions of others.
Which of those sets of policies is likely to harm you or your family, and how?
Which of those sets of policies is likely to benefit you or your family, and how?
Which set is most consistent with American values?
Which of those platforms are you going to vote for this fall?
Personalities are transient; policies affect generations.
• pass legislation expanding health care, including confirming the principles and major provisions of Roe v Wade, rendering the Supreme Court irrelevant in the matter
• pass a plan for loans (or grants or tax offsets) for first-time home purchase and small business startup
• pass the border reform act that was both introduced by Republicans and then killed by that same party
and
• pass a constitutional amendment abolishing the Electoral College in favor of direct popular vote for president and vide-president and sending it to the states
• letting justice take its course regardless of political considerations in the matter of persons who have conspired or acted against the Constitution or have been convicted of other crimes
• accepting blame and being willing nto change course when policies misfire.
Now let's suppose the other person is elected, whose program would include
• reducing benefits, excluding participants and transferring public funds from Medicare and Social Security, principally to reduce taxes, including creating laws on female health care that are solely pro-natal and assign all medical decisions to unelected, politically appointed bureaucrats with no scientific training
• using police and military power to round up people based on their appearance, accent or name
• separating families based on their ability to provide ad hoc documentation of their nationality notwithstanding that they had been seized without warrant
• deporting those who cannot satisfy politically appointed bureaucrats of their right of residence with consequent loss of property and civil rights
• attempt to manipulate voting rights and procedures to insure continued power of a minority
• pardoning persons based on political considerations of persons who have conspired or acted against the Constitution or have been convicted of other crimes
• blaming every misstep on the actions of others.
Which of those sets of policies is likely to harm you or your family, and how?
Which of those sets of policies is likely to benefit you or your family, and how?
Which set is most consistent with American values?
Which of those platforms are you going to vote for this fall?
Personalities are transient; policies affect generations.
US Service Organization Assists Uganda Family

Here's a Beautiful story from Edward Muguluma, School Director at Kisa Primary School in Nansana, Uganda:
In Nansana village, is where you find a resilient struggling mother named Sanyu nakasenge aged 53 years old who has been a resident for more than 18 years now. With three little ones Charles Luvumu (7), Divine Naluyombya (13) and Malcom Luzinda (10) all relying on her tender care, life's burdens have often weighed heavy upon her shoulders with no one to help her out as they divorced with the husband due to family mistreatment after the birth of their last born charles. So when hardship knocked relentlessly on her door, she turned to the beacon of hope in her community—Kisa Foundation Uganda.
Embraced by the warmth of the support by Richmond rotary club,Sanyu embarked on a journey of empowerment. Through the unwavering guidance at Kisa Foundation Uganda, she honed her skills in tailoring where she could stitch her dreams into reality with every thread she wove. Four months flew by and Sanyu had emerged not only a skilled seamstress but also a beacon of determination.
With a sewing machine gifted to her, Sanyu has transformed the humble veranda of her rented home into a sanctuary of craftsmanship where she has been living a quite long now.
Amidst the good and bad times with her beautiful children, she had stitched together a future brimming with promise.
Though the weight of school fees for her kids is very heavy on her, Sanyu can at least cater for her children's feeding on a daily through working on her veranda with her sewing machine.
With tearful gratitude, she has on and on whispered her thanks to Richmond rotary club through kisa foundation Uganda, for they had not only dressed her in skills but also adorned her life with a new found hope.
____________
* Edward Muguluma is school director at Kisa Primary School in Nansana, Uganda, a part of the Kampala metropolitan area. Tom Herriman is the former publisher of the Seattle Press and a community organizer.
Whidbey Island Fire Destroys Startup Farm - Arson Suspected

An associate of one of our members had acquired a substantial endowment of equipment for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and recently moved it to a location on an island in Puget Sound. Much of the food produced was distributed via food banks in the northern part of the Seattle metropolitan area. Our group had previously provided a modest amount of fresh green produce to the distribution effort, and I can attest to the efficacy of their program.
Within a day of the delivery the equipment and before it could become operational it was set afire by person or persons unknown and totally destroyed with a loss of about $250,000. The non-profit was of course devastated.
Because the affected organization is related to a minority community, no one is seriously discounting the probability that the attack was racially or ethnically motivated.
Anyone wishing to know more or to help may find more information here
(https://www.kiro7.com/.../whi.../OTC2UZDOJFGY7KWGHQ46YJZZ5Q/)
plus a GoFundMe here (https://www.gofundme.com/.../support-blackseed-farms)
And if you live in the area and hear the inevitable whispers, the Island County sheriff wants to hear from you. Someone needs to go to jail.
International Women's Day 2024, Lynnwood March 8

All are welcome. Join your neighbors at Spruce Elementary 17405 42nd Ave W, Lynnwood from 5:30 to 7:30 PM March 8.
Sponsored by Edmonds Schools, City of Lynnwood, LETI.
KOMO-TV's Steve Pool dies at 70
Steve Pool was a reporter at Seattle's KOMO TV for about 40 years. He died recently from complications of Alzheimer's Disease after cementing a model legacy for the Northwest.
The video linked below is a tribute from his colleagues. (The source is YouTube, so of course there's an ad at the beginning; you can suppress it after a few seconds of really, really information about dog food, patent medicine, etc. Not our fault.)
The video linked below is a tribute from his colleagues. (The source is YouTube, so of course there's an ad at the beginning; you can suppress it after a few seconds of really, really information about dog food, patent medicine, etc. Not our fault.)
Quick thinking prevents destruction on Elliott Bay
County council member Jeanne Kohl-Welles gave us a heads-up on this story, reported by Seattle Times. (Follow link below to read the whole story.)
"A loose barge drifted through Elliott Bay on Thursday (2 November) afternoon, colliding with the marina near Pier 66 and briefly triggering calls for evacuation in nearby buildings.
The barge has been secured, no injuries have been reported and the evacuation was eventually called off, according to Seattle Fire Department spokesperson David Cuerpo.
The Coast Guard was notified at 1:25 p.m. that the floating platform was drifting from Terminal 18 toward Pier 66 in Elliott Bay.
The wayward barge could have caused more damage if not for quick thinking by Capt. Dan Krehbiel, who was manning the King County Water Taxi from West Seattle to Pier 50. Around 1 p.m., he noticed it floating without any tugboats, apparently heading toward the Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium, according to a spokesperson for King County Metro."
Our admiration goes to Capt. Krehbiel.
"A loose barge drifted through Elliott Bay on Thursday (2 November) afternoon, colliding with the marina near Pier 66 and briefly triggering calls for evacuation in nearby buildings.
The barge has been secured, no injuries have been reported and the evacuation was eventually called off, according to Seattle Fire Department spokesperson David Cuerpo.
The Coast Guard was notified at 1:25 p.m. that the floating platform was drifting from Terminal 18 toward Pier 66 in Elliott Bay.
The wayward barge could have caused more damage if not for quick thinking by Capt. Dan Krehbiel, who was manning the King County Water Taxi from West Seattle to Pier 50. Around 1 p.m., he noticed it floating without any tugboats, apparently heading toward the Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium, according to a spokesperson for King County Metro."
Our admiration goes to Capt. Krehbiel.
The Role of Lutefisk in Achieving World Peace
In the northwestern United States, lutefisk has risen to a standard of culinary preference matched only by Christmas fruitcake.
Good Recipes for Lutefisk
Note: This section was formerly subtitled Recipes for Good Lutefisk, but readers wrote in to say that was an oxymoron, so we changed it.We've scoured the globe seeking recipes for lutefisk. To add your recipe for lutefisk, send it here.
Update, February 2004. Still waiting.
Update, April 2005. We've decided to accept Adequate Recipes...
Update, December 2005. This space for rent.
First submission received: The following seems to be the consensus approach to lutefisk.
- Place your lutefisk on the kitchen counter for approximately fifteen minutes.
- Season and cook your lutefisk according to any recipe of your choice.
- Wrap your lutefisk in ordinary newspaper.
- Throw it out!
About World Peace
We lied; if anything is antithetical to peace it is seeking consensus about lutefisk. (Originally published ca. 2002.)Categories
Recent Posts
- DOGE attack on food security reaches Seattle
- Battery Battle Intensifies in Nevada
- Glazed Salmon Delights as Entree, Salad topping
- Get off my lawn, Don!
- Vance Whopper Channels Musk, DOGE minion
- The 'Hands-off' tally is in
- Hands-off rallies draw thousands
- Your Vote is Your Voice
- And the winner is...
- US Service Organization Assists Uganda Family
- Whidbey Island Fire Destroys Startup Farm - Arson Suspected
- International Women's Day 2024, Lynnwood March 8
- KOMO-TV's Steve Pool dies at 70
- Quick thinking prevents destruction on Elliott Bay
- The Role of Lutefisk in Achieving World Peace