(Yes, it’s low-sugar, gluten-free, high-protein, and delicious) By March Twisdale What do you see in your social media feed? We all know about “the algorithm” that funnels content toward individuals, but how often do we acknowledge our role in what shows up? The algorithm is like the perfect mirror, reflecting back to us our own…
Letters to the Editor, September 2026
Designing for Dignity: Inclusion, Safety, and the Truth About Trans Spaces
By Rachel Waldron In last month’s issue of The Loop, a guest piece questioned the inclusion of transgender individuals in public life, raising concerns about privacy, facilities, medical care, and community values. Open dialogue is part of what makes Vashon vibrant, but when public commentary touches on human rights and health, our conversation must be grounded…
August 2026, Letters to the Editor
Letter from Olga
In May and June 2025, a two-part article, “There’s No Place Like Home – a Ukrainian Woman’s Journey” by Daniel Hooker was featured in The Loop. Read Part 2 here. A companion article, “Olga and the Ukraine War,” by Andy Valencia also appeared in May 2025. I want to say how grateful I am to…
August 2026, Island Voices
Why Share My Story?
By Gates (Pam) Johnson As you may know if you have read my previous rantings here in The Loop, I have been dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatments since March. For some weird reason, I decided my feelings and experiences might be good fodder for my monthly musings. People may ask, “Why do you…
August 2026, Island Businesses, Island Resilience
Cash Is Queen
By Rich Osborne, Owner, ALL THINGS RICH at the Waterfront Market @ Ruston Fifteen years ago, I started taking credit cards. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I engaged a local processor. I bought a card reader to plug into my cell phone, and away I went. Within weeks I started having…
August 2026, Island Resilience
Death by Flower on Vashon
By Andy Valencia As our summer begins its slow descent into fall, take a moment to relax and enjoy the flowers which nature has provided. Just kidding! This is Vashon, where Himalayan blackberry will cross your back patio and force its way into your house. You’ll have plenty of time to rest when it’s winter,…
August 2026, Island Businesses
A Series of Piratical Events
By Marc J. Elzenbeck How do you become a pirate ship? One suspects it’s always been a tricky process, what with obtaining pesky letters of marque, patiently hiding in keys to ambush passing merchant ships, and the risks of your crew swinging by their necks from a yardarm. Paul Freeman of the good ship Sara…
August 2026, Technology
A Cheap PC is Good Enough
By Andy Valencia Yes, everything is up-up-up, as in prices: your cafe drink, groceries, ferry fares. Let’s not even talk about gas. Will we actually reach $8 per gallon? And in technology … RAM prices up 3x, maybe 4x, or even moreDisks, more than 2xSSD, more like 3x And now the word is coming out…
