By Julia Carlson On a small Island like Vashon, it’s easy to believe we’re insulated from the turbulence of the outside world. But lately, even here, you can feel the weight pressing down on America. Conversations at the grocery store, whispers on the ferry, posts in local groups, it’s clear that the past few weeks…
Island Resilience, October 2025
Real Estate and Shelter
By Stephen Buller I travelled to Thailand in 2014, and – in addition to the delicious food, exotic sights, and incredible scuba diving – a conversation with my friend’s father stuck with me. He and his wife were expats from the U.S. and were building a home in Thailand. However, they were unable to own…
October 2025, Recipes
Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes
By Chef Julia Developed by Chef Julia during her time at Le Cordon Bleu, these Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes capture the essence of the holidays in one creamy, spiced bite. The silky cheesecake base is infused with molasses and warm gingerbread spices, layered over a buttery gingersnap crust. Perfect for festive gatherings or quiet winter evenings,…
Children, Fiction, Gardening, October 2025
The Story of Tomtomtidimiddletom
By Andy Valencia Tom woke on the second day and got busy fortifying his position. He looked at how much energy and materials remained, and decided to push his shoot up just a bit more, and then thicken the stalk to make it stronger. If it snapped off, he didn’t have enough energy left over…
Entertainment, Llaughing Llamas, October 2025
Llaughing Llamas Chronicles – October
By Daniel Hooker I was going to cook alligators tonight. But then I realized I only had a crock pot. ~ What kind of award does a dentist get for excellence? Aw, he just gets a little plaque. ~ Singing in the shower is fun, until you get soap in your mouth, then it becomes…
Island Businesses, Island Voices, September 2025
Sew Against the Machine
By Kavi Rana It feels impossible to create or run a business or just survive when the world is crumbling around us. I know everyone is going through it right now. Our paths and future are as uncertain as ever. I am grasping on to hope for humanity and for our planet as we navigate…
Editorial Page, Health Matters, September 2025
Health Care Cost-Sharing: A Quiet Shift Away From the Affordable Care Act
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…
Island Resilience, September 2025
Island to Island, Forest to Forests, Pt 3
By Mabel Moses Vashon-born and raised, Mabel Moses spent a semester on Haida Gwaii, an archipelago in BC briefly called the Queen Charlotte Islands on colonial maps. Upon graduating from the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry, Mabel chose to live on Haida Gwaii. Here in Part 3, we hear directly from Mabel. Enjoy!…
Island Resilience, September 2025
Cost of Living
By Stephen Buller Since COVID, the cost of living has been increasing at rates not seen for decades. Depending on your circumstances, this could be catastrophic, no big deal, or even beneficial to your overall wealth. For the average person, there is no better time to get serious about a personal budget. Before we get…