A big ETS! kitchen welcome to Vanessa Pepoy, who joins us this issue as our new co-editor alongside Jeff Stevens and Geov Parrish. How did Vanessa attain this lofty post? Um ... well, she asked. That's really about it. She has absolutely no qualifications, other than a strong dose of common sense, a good sense of humor, and a previous youthful obsession with eating small and mid-sized counties that got her thrown out of school several times. Welcome!

See how easy it is? One of the coolest things about ETS! is that it really is open to just about anyone who shares our sensibilities to pitch in and help out--it's a volunteer-driven, community effort. If you've ever wanted to get involved--in writing, layout, distribution, ad sales, proofreading, or any of the sundry other tasks involved in putting out a biweekly paper on a shoestring--e-mail us (info@eatthestate.org), or call our voice mail (206-719-6947), or just show up when we meet, on the first Thursday when we publish each month (this month, July 12; next month, August 9), third floor of the University Baptist Church, 47th & 12th NE in Seattle's University District.

Plus, ETS! is having its annual picnic for volunteers and friends this coming Saturday, July 14, 1 PM at Gas Works Park. Bring food, bring friends, bring a state to grill! Everyone's welcome.

If you don't have time or energy to volunteer, of course, our other great need is always cash. We rely entirely on readers and a few (really awesome) local businesses for the money needed to print and mail each issue; we have only one more issue for our summer mini-fund drive, in which we have been slowly grilling various Bush administration figures--a little too slowly, as it turns out. Help us get to roast (or at least sprinkle over an impeach salad) The (Boy) Man himself! Help us stay solvent! Support alternative, community- driven media! Send your donation or mail subscription ($24 for one year, a cheap cheap cheap $39 for two) to PO Box 85541, Seattle WA 98145, or donate via PayPal at www.eatthestate.org. Ask us if you want to arrange for a tax-deductible gift. And--as always--thanks for your support in this, our 11th year of fine dining.