Playlist: Rachel Lynn Solomon's Portfolio
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Redhead Tales
From Rachel Lynn Solomon | 02:36
Every redhead has a story to tell. Maybe it's the time someone cut a piece of their hair to take it to their stylist, or the crazy nickname they got as a kid. I joined 901 other natural redheads to establish a Guinness World Record in Sammamish, Wash., and asked my fellow gingers what their story is.
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- Rachel Lynn Solomon
Every redhead has a story to tell. Maybe it's the time someone cut a piece of their hair to take it to their stylist, or the crazy nickname they got as a kid. I joined 901 other natural redheads to establish a Guinness World Record in Sammamish, Wash., and asked my fellow gingers what their story is.
Native families campaign for school curriculum changes
From Rachel Lynn Solomon | 04:29
Native American education in Washington state has long been a delicate issue. For years, Native parents have been calling for changes to school curriculum. Parents say schools focus too exclusively on euro-centric history like Lewis and Clark, while ignoring local and regional tribes that are an integral part of Washington State history. One group of parents has worked to ban an offensive book, and Washington’s Indian Education Office is creating a state-wide, online curriculum designed to work as a companion to teacher’s regular lessons.
Native American education in Washington state has long been a delicate issue. For years, Native parents have been calling for changes to school curriculum. Parents say schools focus too exclusively on euro-centric history like Lewis and Clark, while ignoring local and regional tribes that are an integral part of Washington State history. One group of parents has worked to ban an offensive book, and Washington’s Indian Education Office is creating a state-wide, online curriculum designed to work as a companion to teacher’s regular lessons.
Throwing Fish at Seattle's Pike Place Market
From Rachel Lynn Solomon | 02:32
Audio postcard from Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market and its famous fishmongers. Featured as part of NPR Intern Edition's
"Postcards" series: http://www.npr.org/internedition/sum10/?p=1768.
Ryan Rechter digs into the ice, grips a three-foot salmon and hurls it behind him. His coworker catches it. The crowd erupts into cheers.
It’s a typical day at work for Rechter, a fishmonger at Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market. The market is world-famous for its seafood acrobatics, drawing thousands each day. Most come just to watch the fish fly.
RECHTER: I have a really great job. I get to meet lots of people generally in pretty pleasant moods. I like to have a good hardworking craft but still be in the city.
And throwing fish around all day is, well, a lot of fun.
Sure, this high-flying seafood shop is something of a tourist trap. But the locals like it, too. Seattle resident Dana already knows how she’s going to prepare her sockeye salmon tonight.
DANA: We’re going to put a little salt and pepper and grill it and that’s it, a little lemon, glass of Chardonnay, loaf of bread, maybe a Caesar salad.
The market has inspired books and TV shows with its service-driven business model. The employees are all smiles all the time. They joke with customers and pose for photos as they shout back orders for fresh mussels and crab legs.
But when you’re throwing giant fish around, someone’s bound to get hit. One guy asked Rechter to hit him for a YouTube video.
Then there was the woman who actually hugged Rechter after he accidentally struck her with a trout.
RECHTER: She was actually all the way over at the meat market. Somebody ordered 26 rainbow trout and wouldn’t let me walk them over. They made me throw them. One flew over and hit a woman in the back.
Even in the cold, wet days of Seattle, people hover around the stand, breath bated and cameras poised. Some customers tote fish back home to Canada or Texas or even as far as Thailand.
Because here in Seattle, playing with your food isn’t just allowed – it’s tradition.