By Caitlin Rothermel It’s tomato season, and maybe your garden is overflowing. It seemed like a good time to share this delicious salsa adapted from “The Moosewood Cookbook.” I discovered Moosewood in college in the 1980s, just as I was learning to cook. At the time, it seemed like everyone owned a copy, and for…
A Health Matter By Caitlin Rothermel If humming came in a pill, you would probably consider taking it. One of humming’s most measured effects is on the nervous system. Even a single session of humming promotes parasympathetic activity, also known as the “rest and digest” state. This is the body’s natural recovery mode, where the heart slows,…
By Caitlin Rothermel On June 4th, 2026, the price of gas on Vashon was about $6.60 for a regular unleaded gallon. But where does the money go? The greatest expenses come at the start, for crude oil production and transportation, followed by oil refining. At about $4.00 per gallon, these factors make up more than…
By Caitlin Rothermel For a practice built around slow breathing and gentle movement, qigong has had a surprisingly turbulent history. Originating in China and thought to date back more than 2,000 years, qigong has moved into favor, out of favor, and eventually back into favor again. During the “qigong fever” of the 1980s and 1990s,…
Olympia lawmakers are poised to begin discussions of a proposed “Equitable Ferry Initiative,” with plans to pursue legislation in 2027 to increase revenue while balancing personal responsibility among Washington State Ferry system users. Washington State is unique in that its ferries are part of the state Department of Transportation highway system. Known as the “marine…
By Caitlin Rothermel There is something we can probably all agree on. Even right now. It’s something you may or may not think about. You want to take care of your nervous system. You want to be able to calm it down. You don’t want it running on high all the time. You may be…
By Caitlin Rothermel My Uncle Mike lived in Breezy Point, New York. It was a sandy, lovely beach town, and during the summers and holidays, my family would visit his. Sometimes, Uncle Mike would cook lasagna. He didn’t just cook for us. Mike was a New York City firefighter, and I got to watch him…
By Caitlin Rothermel It’s time to talk about COVID booster shots and the implications of encouraging their use. Before I go there, it’s important to first summarize some vaccination policy changes that have occurred at the federal and state level. On October 6, 2025, the CDC officially voted to shift COVID-19 vaccination guidance for all eligible U.S. residents…
By Caitlin Rothermel You are probably outsourcing too many of your health care decisions, and your health plan is one of the biggest drivers of both the costs and choices you are and are not allowed to make. It’s no secret that the price of Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans is increasingly untenable. It’s…
Vashon Island Rowing Club is inviting all present and past VIRC junior and adult rowers to our 35th Anniversary All-Alumni Row & Potluck Brunch on Sunday, August 17, 8:00-10:00AM at Jensen Point Boathouse! VIRC was founded in 1990 and since then has served hundreds of Vashon-Maury Adults and Youth. Get on the water, or just come for brunch (~9:30AM). For…