By Daniel Hooker Recently, a friend, who like most people I know, quotes the media’s “facts” surrounding the unhoused/homeless situation, said: “Most people who are homeless are unwilling to accept help – because they’re on drugs.” It’s hard to empathize when success is measured by a human’s abilities to be a “contributing taxpayer.” Please understand…
By Cynthia Sadurni Arroz con leche, rice pudding Mexican style, is one of those comfort food desserts of my childhood. It is sweet and wholesome, almost like a loving hug. This delicious and easy to prepare sweet treat comes to us from Spain, and before that, well, that is quite a long story! There are…
By Marj Watkins My father cherished his half-dozen bee hives. The bees never stung him. He placed some hives in his friend’s orchard, where they helped the fruits to thrive by pollinating the flowers. Honey is one of the oldest sweeteners in the world. Many variations of honey are cherished around the world, both for…
Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie – Illustration by Anne Cotter Moses.
By Shelley Headley and Tristan Carbery We have learned a lot about “fats” over the years – what’s healthy for us, what’s not – and many have come to understand that heavily processed and refined oils, such as corn, canola, soybean, and sunflower, should be avoided. At the same time, there has been a wave…
By Andy Valencia For those without the room or the budget for their own washer and dryer, it’s been tough since our laundromat in town closed. But they’ve now reopened at the same location – with a large number of very nice-looking washers and dryers. Both cash and cards are supported, with washers running $4…
By Jane Valencia, inspired by the song “Binwag’s Lullaby,” lyrics by Debra Knodel Once upon a time, a Bear King lived in a great forest hall in the north. During summer and the time of abundance, he had many visitors to his hall – Deer, Chickadee, Raccoon, and Red Fox to name a few who…
By Yvonne Higgins Leach for Cora “Honoring Meadowbrook” is about a moment when my daughter, new to the area of North Bend, took me out to view the elk. Up against the wetland forestwhere bands of light fuse with frosty grass,the bull’s crown of points cuts the skylike a lapidary cuts stone.My daughter, new to…
Someone asked me, “What do you call a Dagwood sandwich now in modern times?I replied, “I don’t know … Rubenesque?” ~ A burglar has been casing a mansion for weeks. On Christmas Eve, no one is home, and so he’s able to break in. He sets to work cracking the safe. Suddenly, in the dark,…
By Caitlin Rothermel The Vashon Health Care District hasn’t talked to us in a while, and people have definitely been asking questions. But that ended this November when they met to present and pass their 2024 budget. It’s important to talk about the VHCD now because their proposed plans substantially change their original mandate, with the…