Recently in Sequim Category

Tarcisio (Tarcisio's) Italian Place in Sequim Is Awful

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Tarcisio's Restaurant's Veal ParmesanTarcisio's restaurant in Sequim, Washington, has gone from horrible to gut-wrenching. Every once in a while, I get a wild hair up my ass and give Tarcisio's another shot.

My tongue was hurting from an unbelievably salty veal parmesan that was drowning in olive oil and barf-worthy white cheese. Not to be rude, I downed most of the veal that had one flavor. Salt! The side of spaghetti on the same plate was cut or broken short, cooked to the point of gross mush, and topped with a bizarre sauce.

Cold Prime Rib at Tarcisio's Restaurant in Sequim, Washington
Cooking spaghetti al dente should be a brainless process. The reason behind mushy spaghetti became clearer when two cooks came out of the kitchen for a smoke break. Their hats and coats had black smudges. One was wearing dirty shorts and shoes and showing hairy legs. Three smoke breaks during our one-hour visit to Tarcisio's.

The prime rib didn't fare any better. We ordered medium. What came out was closer to well-done and cold. Baked potato was undercooked. Carrots had dirt on them. Much like the veal parmesan, the prime rib was salty and drenched in what was a shot at au jus. There was so much au jus that it permeated every inch of the plate.

The only highlight at the restaurant was a polite bus boy, the first person to see us waiting for someone to make eye contact at the door. It's not like the restaurant was busy. Of the 25 plus tables, only four had guests.

We learned our lesson this time. Retirees of Sequim especially should avoid this cafeteria food. Even if you care little about having a coronary, avoid this joint and drink two vials of salt instead.

Sequim, Washington, vs. The Elderly

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The median age of Sequim is 59, says Wikipedia. For comparison, Seattle's median age is 35. And many retirees are jeopardizing their lives and those of the community. Here's how.

A woman walked into an office. She had suffered an acute cerebrovascular attack, or stroke, and speaks and walks with great difficulty. She had to be helped to her car and over the threshold of the office entrance. When everyone wondered how she got to the office, there was her husband.

Her husband was a tall man--a little hunched over but definitely commanding in his seat. He walks with a severe limp of unknown origin. He could not see much of anything in front of him even with glasses. And he could not remember a phone call from 15 minutes ago.

And he drove her to the office.

Her hematoma was a sure sign she had fallen recently. This time she took him down with her.

It is sad that couples like them don't receive much help. Scarier, they are out driving.
Welcome to Sequim.

Not So "Sunny Sequim"

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Recently several people have asked us if it was always like this in Sequim. By it, we took it to mean, driving rain, gale-force wind, fog, humidity, and bone-chilling temperatures in October and November. We answered, 'yes.' The last two and a half years we've been in Sequim, it even snowed on April Fool's Day.

Some even dared to ask about the famous claim to '300 days of sunshine' a year. Questioning Sequim's perennially "sunny" weather results in robotic 'boos' and scorn as if we broke a secret society's vow of silence. Half the people we ask claim the cloud, fog and rain are unusual. The other half say it's always been like this except for a few sunny weeks in summer.

So far this year, noticeable precipitation was recorded on 135 days. I used station KWASEQUI12, a non MADIS station, and eliminated precipitation less than 0.01 in. Precipitation includes snow, freezing rain, hail, rain, "rain shower," and other states and forms of water.

In November so far, it has rained every day except for five days. Today I could not see out my windshield unless I put the wiper at full speed. I was going 45 miles per hour. Today's driving rain in Sequim began late morning and lasted until shortly after dinner.

The "rain shadow" effect seemed plausible until I got soaked by walking outside for 10 minutes. Granted, it doesn't rain as much in Sequim. But it rains frequently here. 135 days and counting.

If you're used to frequent rain and mostly cloudy days, and desire less rainfall, Sequim is a great start. If you would like a desert-like feel and climate, Phoenix would be a better bet. Because in Sequim, on average, there is precipitation once every three days--or more often.

Some day soon, we will be invited to join the secret society and be sworn to perpetuate the fallacy.

Dutch Operative and Resistance Member, Remembered

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Tony van Renterghem was a mountain of a man.

He was a skilled operative who aided those fleeing Nazi persecution. He was among the last mounted cavalry officers known as the Huzaars. And he launched the "Underground Camera," a photo and film unit of the Dutch resistance.

After the war, H.R.H. Prince Bernhard enlisted him to represent the Dutch government. And his humorous encounter--in a bathroom--with Sukarno had me burst into laughter. He was a meticulous researcher--of a time and era when he himself was a historical figure.

Over our last couple of martinis, he gave me a glimpse into brief moments of his life. He shared his passion for facts and peace. Yet comedy of life was never lost on him. And for that, I thank you, Tony.


Here's a tribute by the Peninsula Daily News and an obituary in the Sequim Gazette.

[UPDATE: A Celebration of Life will be held at the Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Agnew (73 Howe Rd, Port Angeles, WA) on August 29, 2009, at 13:30.]

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

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Chicken Crosses Road in Sequim

This cocky rooster, oblivious to traffic and ignorant of the 'mother-daughter-crossing sign,' climbed a 40-degree hill to be on Medsker Road. I did not stay long enough to see if he made it home that evening.

This is Sequim, Washington, where chickens, deer, elk, coyotes, raccoons and baby quails all have to share the road.

Gabby's: Best 'Sandwich Shop' in Sequim

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Gabby's Java Dishes Up Gyros

Where in Sequim, Wash., can you get mouth-watering gyro stuffed with thinly sliced beef and lamb, diced tomatoes, purple onions, feta and juicy tsatziki sauce? At Gabby's Java & Gourmet Grub off Carlsborg Road.

Gabby's is an enduring gem in a world of fly-by-night sandwich shops and roadside coffee stands on the Olympic Peninsula. A columnist for the Sequim Gazette raved about the brand-new Fifth Avenue Deli a few months ago. If its bland sandwich was any indication, its sudden makeover as yet another real estate office should be no surprise.

Don't expect run-of-the-mill sandwiches here at Gabby's. When I pulled up Friday for lunch, I was told they had run out of Philly and lasagna. 'What else do they have?' Preconceived notions of Reuben, chicken and other sandwiches flew out the passenger-side window as fast as a menu was handed out the window of this drive-through joint.

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