It may not seem like it, with the hail, snow and layers of ice on our cars in the morning, but spring is really here. And in spite of the frigid mornings of late, there are signs of it everywhere.
Late winter and early spring are good times to observe the spread and growth of ivy in Island forests, groves and yards. Now, before the deciduous trees and shrubs put out new leaves, the ivy-shrouded tree trunks are plain to see. In some areas, ivy has taken over completely, wrapping every tree and carpeting the ground. In other areas, you will notice ivy climbing up a few trees and spreading along the ground in an area where, only a few years ago, there was none.
A letter writer in this week’s issue suggests The Beachcomber should not have written a news story about the Sheffield Building’s property tax problem. She wonders if it means we’ll soon report on the financial struggles of a host of other Island property owners.
The Vashon Park District is trying to find a way to make our only public pool pencil out. It’s right that it does so. It’s quite possible that a well-run public pool would drain little from our shared coffers.
On a recent rainy weekday, I took advantage of the afternoon’s low tide and visited our intertidal friends at the north-end ferry dock.
For a wild foods forager, now is the beginning of the spring cornucopia. I call this season “verging on verdant.”
Rumor has it spring is almost here. Which reminds me of late December, when a checker at Thriftway paused to ask me, “What’s going on with the birds? They seem much more active than a week ago.” She described a burst of activity and song by robins, chickadees, sparrows and other winter resident songbirds a day or two after the winter solstice. Were they already responding to the beginning of longer days? Maybe.
Think for a moment about the grade school acronym you may have learned for scientific classification of living organisms. I learned it at McMurray Middle School from Mr. Geo Cheroke, and it was some variation on “King Philip Came Over For Green Soup.”
As anyone who has lived here a long time knows, Vashon is a resilient place.
Recently, this estimable newspaper reported a discussion underway among the Island’s Chamber of Commerce, local businesses and the University of Washington’s School of Architecture proposing a facelift for shops downtown. This is something like going to Nordstrom, “over town,” and having a makeover at one of the cosmetic counters, knowing full well you’ll never buy the insanely expensive stuff they’re selling.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 will be fully implemented by 2014. How will it affect Vashon Islanders?
They’re line up on the futon sorted by size, like jays on a high-tension wire. They stare slack-jawed at the screen while blues, reds and greens dance across their faces in the semi-dark. The laugh track punctuates the snappish dialogue, teenaged voices breaking in alternating cadences; Hannah Montana, Pair of Kings, Wizards of Waverly Place.
In the wide realm of issues affecting the Island, residents should pay close attention to our ferry service. We should write letters, sign petitions, stay informed and find creative ways to press our case.
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