The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced a long-term goal to convert its ferry system, the world’s largest,* from antiquated diesel propulsion to an all-electric carbon-negative fleet by 2034. The announcement comes in the wake of a U.S. carmaker’s pending acquisition of Danish manufacturer Traekke-Benet A/S, dubbed “the Tesla of ferries” by the British…
By Andy Valencia It’s been 25 years since sisters Tina and Leslie first opened Cafe Luna. Turtle Island Restaurant, which had shuttered for the final time a year before, provided the location. The ladies asked various Island old-timers about the possibility of an “internet cafe” and, having been assured it would never work, went ahead…
By the Vashon Loop Editorial Board Try as we may to deny it, there is a problem, and we know it. Vashon has an oxygen (O2) crisis, and our situation may actually signal an unrecognized issue for the entire region. The world first took notice of greenhouse-gas-induced climate change in the 1970s. We were asked to…
By Travis Holman Did you know that Vashon Island is currently working toward setting a world record? This attempt is something that may bring out the inner child in you, because the mission is to collect and assemble the longest Hot Wheels track in history! If you need a refresh, Hot Wheels are those little,…
By Pam (aka Gates) Johnson If you’ve read a few of my columns, you probably guessed that I like to cook. Nothing much pleases me more than to prepare a meal for friends and family. Back in my school-working days, I would make meals for the entire McMurray staff, 30 people or so. It was…
By Seán Malone and John Sweetman From John: We rarely write about contemporary things, but this story is now old enough to be a least on the edge of vintage recollections. Over 20 years ago, I had helped Seán return to the Island, and he had acquired a great place. An old cabin, situated above a…
By Michael Shook I’ve been immersed in David Slavitt’s wonderful translation of Boethius’s “Consolation of Philosophy” recently, and, while walking the dogs this morning, a remnant drifted across my mind: “… nothing in life lasts.” No kidding. It’s so obvious as to be banal, and yet we humans quite often live as if “everything in…
By Andy Valencia In the ancient monastic tradition, monks would spend the 40 days leading up to Easter (which they called “Pascha”) out in the desert praying. Some would not come back, the victim of animals, accidents, starvation, or illness. On the eve of their departure, they would gather to make peace with their brethren….
By Stephen Buller Benjamin Franklin wrote, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” Perhaps one of his less inspiring quotes, but the sentiment holds true today, arguably more so than in 1789. In case you’d forgotten, your federal taxes are due on the 15th of this month. If…