Vol. 3 #3 February 1, 2006TO INFORM AND AMUSE ~ TO PROVOKE THINKING AND ACTIVISM

In This Issue:

EPA Award: School Board ChairSusan Stackhouse spoke at theBoard meeting on January 26 aboutgoing to Washington, D.C., to attendthe 6th Annual Indoor Air QualityTools for Schools (IAQ TfS) NationalSymposium in early January toaccept the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency’s (EPA) 2006 IAQTfS Excellence Award.

“It was great! There were sixawards given, and we were thesmallest district with 1500 students,and the next bigger district hadsomething like 30,000 students. Bigdistricts have people whose job it isto oversee compliance andenvironmental quality in schools.We had our principals and thefacilities manager taking it on top oftheir jobs.”

Stackhouse attended theSymposium along with DistrictSuperintendent Mimi Walker,Walker’s Administrative AssistantDonna Donnelly, and Director ofFacilities and Safety JanineDucharme early in January. Theywere there to accept the award, andfor Walker to speak about theDistrict’s experience with buildingproblems and how to deal withthem.

“There were people from all overthe USA,” Stackhouse said. “We areahead of the curve here. When wecame up on stage to accept theaward, we were four women, and

School Board:Donna Donnelly and Mimi Walkerwith EPA Award

By Mary Litchfield Tuel

Photo by Derrick Reed

Continued on page 2

Vashon Island Pirate wrestlers defeated Klahowya 44-27 to finish thedual meet season undefeated (in league) and thus winning their 4thstraight Nisqually League Championship! Klahowya previously had onlyone loss and finished 3rd in the league. Highlights include: Travis Eberle’s1st round pin, A. Gateman’s pin, R. Lopez’s major decision, T. Gateman’stech fall and MJ Sohl’s tech fall, Stemer’s win, and Masta’s and Scissors’sforfeits.

And, lastly, Duncan Mayshark’s dominating one point victory. ComingSoon: Districts at Klahowya (Feb. 4th), Regionals at Mountlake Terrace(Feb. 11), and the State Tournament in the Tacoma Dome (Feb. 17 and18).

Champions!By Anders Blomgren

On Tuesday, January 17, asinkhole opened in Glenacres Road,just south of Glen Landing. HeightsWater District Manager DerrickReed said, “It was pretty big. Itwould have swallowed a car, noproblem.”

The concrete culvert under theroad had collapsed, and all theuncontained rain water washed outthe ground under the pavement. AKing County road crew came out torepair the sinkhole, but the culvertwas 15 to 20 feet down, and thenew culvert had to go in at the samelevel, which meant majorexcavation.

The only utility they had to dealwith was the Heights Water line,but it was several feet higher thanthe culvert and had to be supported

There’s a Hole inGlenacres

Award, Levy,Basketball, Sex Ed

The Death Penalty – turns out Jesuswas against it; the Hospital District;Steller, not Stellar, sea lions;honoring Jimmy Matsumoto;rainbows; toons, tunes,and much, much more!

while the dig was open. The crewused standard procedure: they felleda tree, put it across the hole, andstrapped the water pipe to it. Thefirst tree wasn’t long enough, so theycut a second, and that one held.

By the end of last week theculvert was replaced and the holefilled.

“I was pleased with the wayeverything went,” said Reed. “Theydid it right and it worked well.”

Come laugh with Vashon’s prodigal daughter!This Saturday, February 4. Tickets are still available.Call 463-5131. Seating is limited.

Don’t Miss Jan Barrett at Blue Heron

Snowdrops:DestroyingBulbs tosave them?

Page 8

GettingReady forBasketballPlayoffs!Page 16

CarolynCruso,hammereddulcimerat LunaPage 18

Wok In Take Out has beenpurchased by Peggy Linker andSusan Ross.

Peggy, a long time islandresident, and business partnerSusan, a recent transplant fromMercer Island, will retain the Thaitheme and casual ambiance thatnew as well as steady customersenjoy. For those customers whohave favorites they expect andprefer, Peggy and Susan offerreassurance that the current menuwill remain. They also intend toinclude menu options, over time,which can accommodate variousdietary and health preferences.

Peggy will manage therestaurant and cook; Ricky Labador,who has been the head cook sincethe inception of the restaurant willremain in his position. Peggy statesthat “innumerable customers havecommented they appreciate theconsistently reliable quality ofRicky’s cooking. His work gives methe confidence to enter this newventure.”

Peggy and Susan encourageeveryone to come, eat, enjoy andoffer suggestions. One changecurrently in the works is theacceptance of credit cards toexpedite your purchases. Another isthe availability of pre-paid cards.Both will take effect soon.

Consider Wok In Take Out forany event: meetings, celebrations orspecial occasions. Catering isprovided on short notice and can betailored to meet your needs. “Welook forward to providing ourcommunity with food that is

Linker and RossPurchase Wok In

Continued on page 2

Backfilling the sinkhole over treesholding up the water line

New Wok In Take Out owner Peggy Linkerwith chef Ricky working the wok

Photo by Jc & Alex Kindred

February 1, 06The Vashon Loop, p. 2

Get in The Loop

The Vashon Island Pet Protectors2006 Pet Calendar is available for $15at the following locations: Fair IsleAnimal Clinic, The VashonBookshop, Books by the Way,Pandora’s Box & The Burton Store.

2006 Pet Calendar

Adopt-A-Cat DayVashon Island Pet Protectors will

host Adopt-A-Cat Days on Saturday,January 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. andSunday, January 29 from 12:30 to3p.m. at Pandora’s Box. Please stopby or call VIPP at 206-389-1085.

The Season of Roots and RestCooking Classes taught by Emily theWhole Foods Chef of Vashon will begiven at the following days, times,and places:

Thursday, February 2nd, 6:30 to9 p.m. at the West Seattle PCC Store;Thursday, February 16th, 6:30 to 9p.m., at the University District Co-opoffice; Wednesday, March 8th, 6:30 to9 p.m. at the Issaquah PCC Store.

Call 545-7112 or register online atwww.pcccooks.com.

Brainstorming begins February 2at 11 a.m. at the Senior Center on BankRoad to help identify islanders age 55and better who have played asignificant role in this community’sdevelopment! If you have lived onthe Island for over 20 years, surelyyou know individuals who have madea difference here in the arts, socialand business matters. The SeniorCenter Marketing Committee will bepartnering with The VashonBeachcomber to highlight theseislanders this year.

Seeking OutstandingSeniors

Winter CookingClasses at PCC

most of the people accepting awardswere guys in suits!”

M & O Levy: The Board brieflydiscussed the upcomingMaintenance and Operations levy(March). “We want people tounderstand that this is aboutteachers and pencils, not buildings,”said Director Gene Lipitz.

When Superintendent Walkerwas asked directly, “Will we loseteachers if the levy fails to pass?”she answered directly: “Yes. If itfails, there will be deep cuts instaffing.” Later in the meeting shenoted that bus service would also beaffected by a failed levy.

The District will hosti n f o r m a t i o n a lmeetings about thelevy over the nextfew weeks (see boxon this page).

PTSA Auction:The PTSA isc o l l e c t i n gdonations for itsannual auction,which will be onMarch 11 this year. John Gage,resplendent in his Scout uniformand badges, presented his troop’sdonation to the auction: two carwash tickets and a package ofgreeting cards.

Basketball: The Vashonbasketball teams are havingwinning seasons. JimmyMatsumoto will be honored at theFebruary 8 basketball game here.Matsumoto played on theundefeated Vashon basketballteam of 1941.

Sex Ed: Parent Joe Pringleexpressed his outrage that aninappropriate handout was given tohis daughter’s 7th grade class. Hecalled the handout, “borderlineporn.”

Superintendent Walker andMcMurray Principal Greg Allisonresponded. Walker said that theschool had received other parentprotests; they had reviewed thematerial, and it was not meant forthat young an age group. TheDistrict takes full responsibility forpurchasing the material, as well asfor pulling it. She repeated severaltimes that the material would not

John Gage andMimi Walker

The League of Women Voters(LWV) has the good fortune of havingEmma Amiad, a member of theVashon Interfaith Council onHomelessness, speak at their monthlymeeting on Thursday, February 16 at2:30 p.m. in the Vashon Librarymeeting room. The community isinvited to attend.

Do we have a problem? Howwidespread is it? Where do thesepeople eat and sleep? What is Vashondoing about the lack of affordablehousing? What can you, as ahomeowner do about this problem?What are the churches doing? AfterMs. Amiad’s presentation, there willbe ample time for questions and theLWV will discussing what they can doto help reduce homelessness onVashon.

The League of Women Voters, anonpartisan political organization,encourages the informed and activeparticipation of citizens ingovernment, works to increaseunderstanding of major public policyissues and influences public policythrough education and advocacy. Youare welcome to join or to just come tothe public meeting on February 16.

Amiad to Speak to LWV

Continued from page 1

School Board

The next regular board meetingof Development of Island Teens(DOIT) will take place at 6 p.m. onThursday, February 2 at MaryamSteffen’s house, 20705 MonumentRoad SW. Youth and interestedadults are invited. Reasonableaccommodations for people withdisabilities and directions areavailable by calling Stephen Silha at567-4363.

DOIT Board Meeting

Emma Amiad

Dates and locations for public to meetwith Board members and School Districtadministrative staff in order to learn moreabout the M & O Levy:

February 16, 2006: 6:30-7:00 p.m. atVashon High School Library

March 2: 2:30-3:30 p.m. atChautauqua Elementary Multi-purposeroom

March 2: 7:00-8:00 p.m. atChautauqua Elementary Multi-purposeroom

March 9: 2:30-7:00 p.m. at VashonHigh School Library

Levy Info Meetings

be used again, and that she andothers considered it inappropriate.She also noted that some parentshad contacted her to say they hadno problem with it.

She said that a letter has beensent to all 7th grade parents sayingthat the material would not be usedagain, and informing them of apublic meeting on January 31 todiscuss the FLASH curriculum.

CERT Training Coming Up

healthy as well as nurturing. Inconjunction with that goal, we willdonate a portion of our monthlyprofits to the Vashon Food Bank,”says Peggy. “I raised my daughterson Vashon and developed close-knitties to the community. I know thatthe community of Vashon is uniquein its dedication to support and giveto all residents. As a previousvolunteer at the Food Bank I haveseen first hand the generosity of ourcitizens. Now, by assisting the FoodBank in this way, I will give back tothe community the sense of care andbelonging that I have so generouslyreceived.”

Continued from page 1

Wok In Changes Hands

The next Community EmergencyResponse Team Training (CERT) willstart on Friday, March 17, from 6 to10 p.m. It will run for eight Fridays ina row, ending on May 5, 2006. Inaddition, the class includes an all daydrill on Saturday, April 29.

The class is free. Vashon CERTtraining prepares volunteers to act asinterim first responders in the eventof a disaster. For more information,or to sign up, please contactcertvashon@yahoo.com or callCatherine and Mike Cochrane at 463-4558. Pictures of former Vashonattendees can be found on thewww.VashonBePrepared website.

June 2005 CERT Graduating Class

www.vashonloop.com

Some people can’t tell a lie,some can’t tell the truth, somecan’t tell the difference.

Free CERT training starts March 17!Eight Fridays, 6 to 10 pm plus one

Saturday drillFor info contact

Catherine or Michael Cochranecertvashon@yahoo.com or 463-4558

February 1, 06 The Vashon Loop, p. 3

We do passport photos

Troy and Marie Test the WaterWater quality is one of those subjects that city slickers think about only when

a news story comes out about people getting sick from drinking contaminated

water. Here on Vashon where so many people have private wells we tend to pay

a little more attention. If you are selling your home, a buyer will want to be

assured that the water is fit to drink, and even if you’re not selling, you’ll probably

sleep better knowing that your water is OK. You can easily have it tested by

calling Bob Seibold of Island Pump and Water System Service, who has been

specializing in water system service and installation on Vashon for ten years. We

recently talked to Bob about common water quality problems.

Check out the virtual tour on this property at

www.kwvashon.com

Just Listed on Vashon!

Troy: Bob, I have a doozy of a story I could tell you about drinkingcontaminated water. I was hitchhiking through Mexico…

Marie : Troy, this already sounds like Too Much Information and notsomething our readers really need to know about. But I’m sureit’s a wonderfully disgusting story, and I’d love to hear it someother time. For now, let’s ask Bob about more local water qualityissues. Bob, what kinds of problems do you find when you testpeople’s well water?

Bob: Water quality problems found on the Island can be bacteriologicalor chemical. For example, wells might be contaminated withcoliform bacteria, which is generally harmless and normallydoesn’t cause disease.

Troy: If coliform is harmless, what’s the point in testing for it?

Bob: Because it’s not normally found in groundwater, so if it’s present,that’s a good indication that there is a pathway for harmful bacteriato enter the water source. A bacterial problem is usually causedby poor protection of the wellhead or storage tank, not by aproblem with the underlying aquifer. If there is a positive resulton a coliform test, then additional testing is done to check fordisease causing E. coli bacteria and possibly fecal matter.

Marie : Yuk. Besides bacteria, what other problems might there be?

Bob: Some wells have problems with chemical contamination. Myexperience is mainly limited to those that cause aesthetic problemslike staining, taste and odor. Iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfideare the most common.

Troy: How do you treat the problems you find?

Bob: Shock treating the system with chlorine will generally eliminate thebacteria. Persistent bacterial problems can also be treated byinstalling filtration and UV light, or by chlorination. Problems withiron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide can be treated with softenertype equipment.

Marie : How frequently should a homeowner have his or her water tested?

Bob : Public water systems are required to do routine testing. It isgenerally suggested that homeowners with their own systems havetheir water checked for bacteria annually. However, it reallydepends on how comfortable people are with how well their systemis protected and constructed. Shallow wells and springs are moresusceptible to contamination than deeper drilled wells. Any sourceshould be inspected regularly to be sure it is properly sealed andscreened.

Troy: Thanks, Bob. We’ll let our readers know that besides water testing,you are the guy to call for installation and service of well pumps,booster pumps, storage tanks, pressure tanks and controls, andthat you install water lines and do utility trenching, too. Bob can bereached at 463-1650, or via email at Islandpump@hotmail.com.

Getting ready to sell your home? Give us a call at (206) 463-LIST (5478) or sendan email to marie@kwvashon.com. We’d love to work for you

6320 SW Luana Beach Road

Every day is a vacation day in this beautiful, quality built Lindal Cedarhome on a shy two acres of gorgeous rolling land with an incredible panoramicview of the Puget Sound shipping lanes, the Seattle skyline, the ferries, theCascades, and Whidbey Island. On a clear day you can even see MountBaker! Three bedrooms, two baths, fenced pasture, landscaped gardens, asauna, an atrium with a hot tub, outbuildings – it’s the Island Dream come true.$599,000.

Your Home Team Realty (206) 463-LIST (5478)

This retro chic house calls for clambakes, cocktails, and cabin cruisers!

It’s 3200 square feet of living space on 80 feet of low bank inner

Quartermaster Harbor waterfront. It’s picture windows from the floor to the

high ceiling to take full advantage of the light and the view of the busy harbor.

It’s a home for entertaining guests and family, with two large decks practically

over the water, plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, and a separate guest cabin.

$1,049,000.

22908 Vashon Hwy SW

Clambakes and Cocktails!

Acreage With a View!

February 1, 06The Vashon Loop, p. 4

LoOp-EdLetters to the Editor:editor@vashonloop.comHave mercy: keep it to 300

words or less. The paper is only20 pages long. Thanks.

�Loop LettersEditor, The Loop:Despite attempts by the Beachcomber

to paint the KCLS Children’s ComputersIssue as contentious or easy to solve withpolite behavior, I assure you neither istrue.

Hester spent two months workingwith me to develop a possible solution andKCLS policy interfered. Any solution willneed to come from the King CountyLibrary System, and then our locallibrarians will be empowered to act.

Noise is NOT the problem. Thecomputers are VISUALLY dominant/unavoidable, and this awareness of themdistracts from awareness/enjoyment ofthe books. Think about it — when no oneis on the computers they still distractchildren!

It is a value judgment by thosegathering/signing the petition andwriting letters that computers/gamesshould NOT be prioritized over books. While unintentional, the currentplacement/programming of the kidcomputers does exactly this. Familieshave worked for over a year to rectify thissituation soon, for the sake of today’syoung children. Waiting 4+ years willgreatly increase the damage caused.

The argument that computer skills areimportant is somewhat moot for thisissue. We do support these computersremaining easily accessible and readilyavailable...in a different location. Alibrary is a place of quiet relaxation,literacy promotion, and public access tocertain resources. Relocating thecomputers allows us to support bothcomputer education and an affinity forreading books.

We’re Vashonites...we can cometogether on this. Let us offer computersto families that want them whilepreserving the traditional libraryexperience with a children’s space thatfosters a true love of books!

Sincerely,March Twisdale

The Public Hospital District is thebest mechanism for keeping key health-care services on-island and expandingaccess for low-income Islanders.Islanders are voting on whether or notthey support a property tax to meet theseand other health-care goals. The lawdoes not allow the specific tax rate to bepart of the vote to establish the PHD. Ibelieve that we can accomplish the mostimportant objectives with a relatively lowrate of .25 per $1000 ($75 per year for a$300,000 valuation). All of thecandidates have stated that the tax ratewould be under .50 per $1000.

The Commissioners will lead anopen, Island-wide process to determinewhich services are essential and how tosupport them. All Islanders and health-care providers will be encouraged topropose and participate in solutions.

If the PHD does not pass now, wecould lose the Vashon Community CareCenter. The Sisters of Providence nolonger subsidize them and they cannotcontinue to rely on a few very generousdonors. The Federal Government just cutMedicaid by $50 billion that will resultin deficits for Vashon Youth and FamilyServices and others who may need ourhelp urgently to continue providing vitalservices. Island health-care providersprovide some free care, yet many low-income Islanders get huge bills and aresent to collections. Fear of these billscauses others to put off life-saving care.The results are bad health outcomes andexpensive care that raises everyone’sinsurance premiums. A sliding-scaleprogram that would help those withproven need can relieve this crisis withinthe limits of a low tax rate.

I am unbiased, not connected toanyone seeking funding.

-- Brad Roter, M.D.Candidate forCommission Position 2

Vote for On-IslandAccess to Health Care for

All Islanders! The Last Word (I Hope)

Governor Mark Warner of Virginia,a Democrat who supports the deathpenalty and who seems to be running forPresident, called for DNA testing of anexecuted man who had been convictedof rape and murder and who hadmaintained his innocence until hisexecution in 1992. The Governor wantedto know if newer technology would provean innocent man had been executed.

While proponents of the deathpenalty held their breath for fear thatproof of a mistake would fuel a newround of anti-death penalty sentimentacross the country, opponents were readyto begin a renewed crusade to once andfor all abolish such an archaic andbarbarian practice.

Opponents have been sorelydisappointed by the recently releasedresults, which seem to have providedconclusive evidence of guilt. Andproponents have issued a collective sighof relief. They have been vindicated. Thesystem works. There is no need to feelguiltay. The death penalty is both a justpunishment and useful deterrent tohideous crimes. Most of those supportingthe death penalty are even now thankingthe Lord for having proved them right.

Both sides were wrong to have hungso much hope on the outcome of this re-evaluation of the DNA.

There is no evidence whatsoever tosupport the belief that capitalpunishment decreases crime. Mostcrimes that end in murder are crimes ofderanged people or crimes of passion,and neither group is deterred by thepossibility of being executed. In fact, thereis some evidence that violent crimeincreases right after an execution becausesome deranged people get excited b theattention the execution draws.

We are the only North American/Western European country that has adeath penalty, and we have far and awaythe highest rate of violent crime, furtherproof that the death penalty is not adeterrent to crime and is not what makesthe rest of us safe.

There is scant evidence in the NewTestament to support the death penalty,and since most of those who vigorouslydefend it are Christians, what the NewTestament has to say about capitalpunishment is relevant to the discussion.And since most of the Christians whosupport capital punishment arefundamentalist or evangelical, and,therefore, literalists about the scripturaltext, it is not enough to infer that somepassage hints are or could be interpretedor extrapolated into an endorsement ofcapital punishment. You cannot be astrict interpreter of the New Testamentand uphold the death penalty.

At the same time opponents who sohoped that this case would prove

proponents wrong are misguided. If thedeath penalty is wrong it is absolutelywrong, regardless of the guilt or innocenceof the accused. It is wrong because it isnot moral for human beings to take thelife of other human beings no matter howevil they seem to be. It is wrong because itdoes not make us safer. If safety is theissue, life in prison keeps us safe. It iswrong because all life is sacred even ifwe cannot understand how in thisparticular case that can be true. It iswrong, if you choose to operate in a worldview shaped by the Christian tradition,because every human being is a child ofGod created in the divine image…evenviolent and loathsome criminals, nomatter how veiled that reflection may befrom our human point of view.

Capital punishment really is notabout keeping us safe. It is aboutvengeance and retribution. It is aboutplacating our anger and grief andmaking us feel better. While those are

very human traits, they areunsupportable by any honest reading ofthe New Testament as justification forcapital punishment.

Finally, it is beyond reason howtaking a life as punishment – no matterhow anticseptically that is done in ourmodern death chamber of sedatives andinjection – teaches anyone that life isultimately precious and sacred andneeds at all costs to be valued andprotected.

“Ultimately, ‘an eye for an eye’ onlyleaves the whole world blind.” – HenryNorfolk

The Death PenaltyBy Bill Dorn

Editor, The Loop:The Vashon Health Center (non-

profit) takes all Medicare patients. Privateproviders are allowed to limit the numberof Medicare patients, as they would goout of business otherwise. This is onereason private doctors are “in the black”and non-profits are “in the red”.Medicare establishes an approvedamount of the bill that the health providersends. Sometimes there is no “approvedamount” and then the patient isresponsible for the total amount of the bill.For VHC, on average Medicare approves60% of the bill, therefore, 40% is revenuenot received for each Medicare patient.

VHC might last for a while, but withthe rapidly increasing cost of deliveringhealthcare, inevitable compromises willoccur. VHC operates 24/7 with aminimum number of doctors, a “skeletoncrew” which becomes over-extended if adoctor becomes unable to work. I haveobserved the waiting room, as it runnethover when drop-in patients withoutappointments need to be seenimmediately. Every physical aspect of thefacility appears taxed, worn andcrowded. It is a visual turnoff.

The doctors are superb, givingexcellent care as well as referrals to topspecialists (not just Highline!). It is vitalthis health facility receives support tokeep it viable for our Island. We acceptother high levies without question. Isn’tgood accessible health care as important?As a Medicare Senior I welcome thechance to help make up the Medicareaffecting deficit with a small additionallevy on my tax bill. To me it’s a moralobligation that I will afford.

Mary Lou Harlander

Final Public Hospital DistrictInformational Meeting

There will be a meeting at 7 p.m.,Thursday, February 2, at CourthouseSquare, for the public to ask questionsof the supporters of the HospitalDistrict.

oooooo

If the Hospital District proposal isapproved now, it is up to theCommissioners and community memberswho get involved in the process ofdetermining health care needs on theIsland to get it right.

The District was presented as a faitaccompli by a group of people with thegoal of funding two organizations. Goodpeople, good intentions, but unwilling tolisten, and they didn’t make a good case.

They said that if the Hospital Districtwasn’t passed, the Island would lose allmedical care. Not true.

They said that the Health Centerprovides urgent care to 100% of theIsland’s population. Also not true.

They implied that if you didn’t votefor the Hospital District you were morallyderelict and didn’t care about health careon the Island. Not true, and insulting.

They claimed that the Health Centernever refuses to treat anyone. So not true.

They claimed that we might loseVashon Community Care Center. This istrue, and an issue that is going to have tobe addressed by the community no matterhow the election goes.

Underneath the debate are humanstories. Some people have hadconsistently fine experiences with boththe Clinic and the Care Center, and somepeople haven’t. I believe that emotionalreasons will play a large role in howpeople vote.

However the election goes, this is thebeginning, not the end, of the discussion.

Your mind’s probably made up andI’m not going to tell you how to vote onthe District, but I will recommend one vote.

Commissioners: Brad Roter forPosition #2. He’s a good listener, has agrasp of the complexities of the situation,and he’s willing to fight the good fight.

The election is Tuesday, February 7.Get out there and vote.

— M. L. Tuel

But not the same year, right?Annie Jane Giddens, Hohira, GA, wasborn the same hour of the same day ofthe same week of the same month inthe same room of the same house asher mother was, and she was attendedby the same doctor.

February 1, 06 The Vashon Loop, p. 5

David Sunstrom is a CPA and is theTreasurer for the Vashon Health CenterBoard. He has lived on Vashon for 17years.

“Calling it a ‘Hospital District’ isconfusing. It would make more sense tocall it a ‘Public Health Care District.’”

“I am bonded with the community,and on board to understand and support

health care for thewhole Island.

“When I joinedthe Board ofDirectors of theVashon HealthCenter and looked atthe financialcondition they werein, and saw how theCare Center wasconstantly fund

raising, it was pretty obvious that thereare financial hurdles for all caregiverson the Island.”

“Assuming the Hospital Districtpasses, in the first year we should do aneeds assessment. We need input fromthe public and from providers. Whatservices do we need to provide?”

“It will be at least a year after theelection before the Commission could goto King County and say, ‘Here is ourdollar need.’ So there would be no newtax until 2007 sometime.”

“There are financial needs,especially for seniors and low incomepeople. The health care industry wantsto make money for fixing problems, andit would be wiser to spend money onprevention and education.”

“We can’t fix the national (healthcare system) problems, but I would liketo get public support for health care onthe Island. We need the community. Weneed people to attend meetings and giveinput to the Commissioners. We’re allnew at this.”

“The process must be transparent,which is the law as well as what isnecessary to gain public trust. Peoplefeel health care is too expensivealready.”

Brad Roter, M.D.

Brad RoterDavid Sunstrom

Hospital District CommissionCandidates for Position 2

David Sunstrom

Editor, The Loop:Thank you everyone who was

involved in the saving of Smoky(Naatoowapee Ponokamita) Sun’sOwn Horse.

Linda, thank you for yourwonderful ambulance service! Wand J for your support in time ofcrisis! Thank you Dr. Mark! You area Saint!

And all other horse and animallovers from Vashon to Europe whocalled, sent donations and thoughtpositively about our wonder horse!

Smoke is a buffalo pony stallionthat was raised wild on the plainsof the rez in Browning, Montana.

Brad Roter found, at age 21, “…that itwas a lot more gratifying to help peoplethan be a laboratory animal.” He decidedhe wanted to do community service, andthat led to his training as a family doctor.

“My commitment is to an all-Islandview and the lowest possible property tax.Anyone funded by the District has to beaccountable to the whole community.”

“The HospitalC o m m i s s i o n e r swould have to do‘hard headed’funding. Iunderstand thereality of low incomepeople. Our valuesshouldn’t change,and if you’re valuesdriven, you need tohelp the vulnerable.”

“The Hospital District hinges on theCommissioners elected. It is imperativewe have an inclusive process, witheveryone at the table. The originalpremise of raising money throughproperty taxes and splitting it two wayswas naïve.”

“We need to define essential services,and provide essential services, on theIsland. Essential needs clearly includeprimary health care, long term care,complementary and alternative medicine.Access to mental health care is thetoughest one to get. The Island needschemical dependency counseling, andgeriatric psychiatry. Disabled youth onthe Island lose state support when theyturn 18. That’s a gap the Hospital Districtmight be able to fill.”

“The Hospital District is not meantto support specific entities, and it shouldbe service and values oriented, notprovider oriented.”

“Many people don’t realize that theHealth Center has a generous discountprogram for people with an income up to200% of the Federal Poverty level. Themoney from Granny’s is now specificallyfunding access to care for low incomepeople. I want to expand care, andpromote the existing program.”

He was there stolen and terriblymistreated by some wacko. BobBlackbull sent Smoke to Wolftownto be rehabilitated. It took us fouryears. But Smoke has shown morethan one child how to come backinto a kinder world when you havehad things go terribly wrong.

Smoke is doing much better.And hopefully is on his way to acomplete recovery. Thank you!

Wolftown T and Smokeman!

�More Loop Letters

It is a wonderful thing thatwar is so terrible, lest webecome too fond of it. --Robert E. Lee

February 1, 06The Vashon Loop, p. 6

Spiritual Smart

Aleckby Mary Litchfield Tuel

oooooo

Kiss Your Sweet(Middle) Class

Good-bye

I went to hear Bill Ameling speakabout property taxes. I’ve known Billand his wife Lynn since I commutedwith Bill back in the 70s. I marveledthat a guy could be as excited aboutaccounting as I was aboutsongwriting. I don’t know if heremembers it that way, but in myperception accounting was an art forBill.

One of the things he said the othernight was that the American middleclass was a brief anomaly in humanhistory. “If you study history andhow long things last, the middle classhasn’t been here long, and it’s on theway out. Instead we have a ‘techno-intelligence class.’ They can earn adecent living.”

“The middle class is sinking. $15an hour is considered a big wage.We’re all off to Walmart.”

Why? After World War II, theUnited States was the only industrialcountry left standing. England,Europe, the USSR, and Japan weredevastated. China? Also wrecked.From the mid-1940s, the United Statesbecame a pretty sweet place to live.Jobs, benefits, pensions — as Bill says,“A job, a family, a house in thesuburbs, a camper, vacations, benefits,a pension, work 30 years, retire for 5years, die.”

The American Dream. The greatmiddle class.

Kiss it good-bye.My husband and I were talking

the other night about how ordinarypeople in America — not the poor, butthe middle class — have been livingin a style that was enjoyed by royaltyalone for centuries. Let’s face it — ifyou were royalty and had servantsgalore, you didn’t have many of theamenities we Americans take forgranted, even if you did havestrawberries in snow that a runnerbrought up from the south. There

were no antibiotics; no electric lights;no refrigerators. It was normal forchildren and mothers giving birth todie right up until the 1950s.

From the mid-1940s on, we in theUnited States have had an abundantlife, unimaginably rich for a muchgreater portion of the population thanat any other time in human history.Strawberries all year ‘round, if youcould afford them, and many peoplecould.

My husband and I have bobbedaround at the bottom of the middleclass most of our lives. We have arun-down house, electric power,clean water, indoor plumbing, heat,telephone, cable, internet, appliances.I have a car and my husband has atruck. This is a not very fancymiddle class existence. Do you haveany concept what kind of wealth thisis compared to many places in theworld? To some people in the USA?To people right here on VashonIsland?

We keep animals that we don’tintend to eat!

Outsourcing, downsizing, cuttingof pensions and benefits, owingmoney to other countries — soundfamiliar? The rest of the world hasfinally recovered from World War II,and we are not the only functioningindustrial or technical countryanymore. What’s hard for us is thatwe and our children have to learn tomake do with less. It isn’t exactlythe American way to lower yourexpectations, and it makes meunderstand, slightly, why thewealthy want to have more and moreand more. Perhaps they think thatgross wealth will make them immunefrom want. Foolish wealthy people.

Time for a new American dream,folks. I’ll try to write somethingfunny for the next issue.

Democrat Mark Wilson, who ismounting a campaign to challengeMaria Cantwell for her seat in theSenate, came out to the Island onSunday, January 22, to meet andtalk with people interested in hiscandidacy.

Wilson is a former Marine, theson and father of vets, and one ofthe founders of Vets for Peace. Hebelieves that Cantwell’s position isvulnerable because she has not stoodup to the current administration.

The Wilsons have been busysince last April traveling around thestate from Vancouver to Spokane toVashon speaking to Democraticmeetings. “The response has beenpretty warm,” he said. They will becampaigning until the primaryelection, and definitely will be backon Vashon.

Wilson ChallengesCantwell

Backbone Campaign:Gettin’ Hitched!You’re Invited!

The Backbone Campaign marksits official alliance with ProgressiveGovernment Institute (PGI) byholding a “wedding” celebration onFebruary 12, 2006 from 4 p.m. to 8p.m. at the VFW Hall on VashonIsland

The Valentine-themedcommunity event and fundraiserwill include a “marriage ceremony”which will inform people about themerger in an entertaining manner.There will be food, live music, acontra dance, and kids’ activities.

Bill Moyer, Executive Director ofthe Vashon-based BackboneCampaign, also became ExecutiveDirector of PGI beginning January1.

The two organizations hope thatby working together they will bemore than twice as effective.

For more information, contactBill Moyer, Executive Director, 206-408-8058.

By Robyn Landis

Too many people offerGod prayers with clawmarks all over them.

February 1, 06 The Vashon Loop, p. 7

Don’t Forget the BirdsBy Ed Swan

Gift Certificates Available

Studying Our Nearshore Terrestrial Habitat

oooooo

White-throated sparrow in spring plumage

Two biologists, Don Norman andSherry Hudson, recently started avolunteer-based project to studynearshore terrestrial habitats in thecentral Puget Sound area. At leastone study site will be on Vashon orMaury Island. The project willevaluate the importanceof marine riparianbuffers to sustainingnative bird diversity andpersistence in coastalareas of King County,while simultaneouslyeducating countyresidents of theconnections betweenriparian areas, wildlifeuse, and marine habitats.Norman and Hudson areworking with the KingCounty Department ofNatural Resources and Parks(DNRP) to complete this project.King County DNRP ecologists areworking with them to design theproject in order that the informationcollected will be useful to the countyfor future projects.

Marine riparian buffers provideareas of vegetation along shorelines.They play a critical role in theprotection of nearshore fish habitat,especially for forage fish. Researchdemonstrates that the presence oftrees along the shoreline improvesfish habitat in many ways. Forexample, recent studies indicate thatterrestrial insects falling fromshoreline vegetation make up animportant part of the diet of juvenilesalmon, especially chum. Shadedbeach areas apparently affecttemperatures to the benefit of surfsmelt eggs. Other advantages tomarine riparian buffers continue tocome to light but more research isneeded in many areas. Littleattention has been paid to the value

of riparian forest to terrestrialwildlife, many of which also dependon nearshore habitat for foraging,as well as for roosting, food, cover,and nesting. Because so muchinformation and media coveragehas focused on salmon recovery, it

is assumed that shorelinelandowners are increasingly awareof the impacts of their actions onsalmon and the marineenvironment. However, it issuspected that far fewerlandowners are aware of the effectsof their land development andmanagement choices on theterrestrial species that depend onthe riparian and nearshore habitats.

Norman’s and Hudson’s projecthas two goals. First, the projectexamines the importance of marineriparian buffers to birds. Then theyplan to educate the public about theconnection between shorelineforests, birds and other terrestrialwildlife, and salmon recovery.Norman and Hudson will comparebird use during all seasons inmadrone and non-madronedominated forests. The focus willbe on songbirds and other forestbirds such as woodpeckers andraptors. Volunteers will monitorbirds by conducting different types

of bird surveys including birdcounts and bird feeder watches.The field data collection will beginin April 2006 and end in March2007.

This is a volunteer-based project.That means it will depend onvolunteers to help collect the data.All volunteers will receive trainingon a common data collectionprotocol. Both experienced andnon-experienced birders areencouraged to volunteer as there aremany different types of assistancerequired. In addition, lessexperienced birders might be pairedwith people with more experienceand thus learn their birds better byvolunteering. Feeder watches willbe a big component of this study, soanyone who can sit and watch abird feeder for 2 hours is alsoencouraged to volunteer.

If you want to volunteer or learnmore about the project, pleasecontact Sherry Hudson atpugetsoundbird@gmail.com.

In local birding news, Joy Nelsenre-found the Snow Bunting at Pt.Robinson. Then a Seattle area birdervisited and discovered two buntingswere present. Another off-islandbirder came to see the buntings andsaw a White-throated Sparrow alongPt. Robinson Road. Gary Shugartsaw a Peregrine Falcon chasing thepigeons at the Tahlequah dock andalso noted a Western Gull there. Ispotted another Western Gull thesame day at the Ellisport pilings.Western Gulls are rare in winter forVashon. More unusual CanadaGeese showed up at the new pondby the monument on MonumentRoad but I am still getting help onidentifying what sub-species theyare. If you have an unusual sightingto report or a question about localbirds, call me at 463-7976 or emailat edswan@centurytel.net.

A few copies of Ed Swan’s book, TheBirds of Vashon Island, are still available atBooks by the Way, the Vashon Book shop,or directly from the author.

Across1. Pastry4. Cat food brand9. Sticky black substance12. Writer Bombeck14. Someone with no friends15. Arrive16. Revile17. Eel18. A spinning toy (2 wds.)19. Said of death21. On the opposite side23. Baboon24. Our star

25. Asian dress28. Really cool31. Chest muscles34. Me36. Ocean38. Bone40. Trigger41. CDS43. Business note44. By way of45. Dined46. Voodoo48. Wager51. Short-term memory

53. Our sattelite54. Tree56. Brew58. Capital of Mali61. Boughs66. Native ruler67. Winner69. U.S. President70. Dinghy71. Tramps72. Single73. Welkin74. Multi-colored rock75.Church bench

Down1. South American country2. Iraq’s neighbor3. Discharge4. Hibernate5. Roar6. Want7. Honey maker8. Tapestry9. Dorothy’s dog10. Famous cookies11. Representatives

13. Boxer Muhammad15. Chili con __20. Put in a mail box22. Glass25. Asian country26. From Asia27. Representative29. Property30. Christmas month32. Creed33. Game “__ Says”34. I want my ___

35. Food and drugadministration (abbr.)37. Tree39. Hiss42. Possessive pronoun43. Cow sound47. Sign49. Watery50. Deer relative52. Groundhog55. Coffee57. Deteriorate

58. Sleeping places59. Frenzied60. Mucky61. Baby’s “ball”62. Hertz

63. Hula __64. Women’s magazine65. Alter68. Really large pig

Solution on Page 17 g

February 1, 06The Vashon Loop, p. 8

Island LifeText & photos by Peter Ray

Black DogPlants

www.blackdogplants.competer@blackdogplants.com

(206) 567-4542

It sounds quite inviting, doesn’tit? Slipping into those duck shoesand rubber coated garden glovesthat are still slightly damp fromyesterday’s outdoor activities. Thendonning some sort of weatherresistant coat and hat and perhaps,on the way out, strapping on a pairof rubberized kneepads. One mustalso remember to bring along thosereading glasses or perhaps amagnifier — man, I hate that. Aswe wait for the rain to subside justa little bit, we scope out those whitedots dancing just a few inchesabove the ground out beneath thetrees. Once you get out to the massesand clusters of white flowersbobbing gently at your feet, you getdown on all fours and crawlaround looking for slight variationsin petal form, as well as quirks andoddities in the type, shape andplacement of the usually greenmarkings on the inner petals. If thissounds like fun to you then you aremore than likely British, perhaps aBritish gardener, maybe even anobsessed American gardener, orjust a Seahawks fan looking foranything to do to pass the time tillnext week’s game.

There is something about aWinter-flowering plant that justrequires a little more effort in orderfor it to be appreciated. Most of thearomatic Winter bloomers need ahint of warmth in the air to reallybring out the best in the fragrancethey have to offer. If it weren’t fortheir fragrance, there would be littleto recommend many of thesescented wonders, since theirflowers are mostly hidden and ingeneral they are hardly somethingto get excited about in the shapeand color department. Even the firstreal technicolor display of lateWinter that is put on by theHellebore gang needs a careful cupand twist of the hand in order tosee something other than thebacksides of the normallydownward facing flowers. I guess

what it is that can bring an avidgardener to his or her knees in thepresence of a snowdrop is not somuch its dazzling beauty, but ratherthe fact that something simple,elegant and somewhat delicate ispretty much the first flower of theyear to stand up to whatever theWinter in progress has to offer.

In truth, even if they were soinclined, the average Seahawk fanwould be hard pressed to find astand of snowdrops (Galanthus sp.)around these parts since they are notnative to this area. My first realexposure to them was on a briefWinter plant hunting trip toEngland a number of years back,when we did manage to stop in ona nursery specializing insnowdrops. It may come as asurprise to find out that there wereno throngs of people crawling aboutin their Wellies and slickers, pokingand prodding at the dainty blooms,at least not from a prone position atground level. There was a smallcrowd in attendance on that coldand dreary day and the only dirtgroveling that was going on had todo with the proprietor digging upclumps of the blooming bulbs to sellto those who asked for them. It wasimpressive to gaze across theexpanse of lawn and see large driftsof small white snowdrop flowersspread out beneath ancient oak treesand mixed with the yellow dots ofWinter aconites and the silvermottled foliage of hardy cyclamen.We did manage to get a fewvarieties there, as well as some at afew other nurseries. The interestingpart was getting them home.

The rules have changed a bitconcerning bringing plants back intothe country, but what we had to dothen was wash every speck of soiloff the roots of every plant and makesure there were no bugs on boardfor the trip back. While we thoughtwe had done a good job in thatregard, and had, there wassomething that we had failed to

notice in the pages of paper spellingout the various rules andregulations on plant importation,and that was a little somethingknown as the Convention onInternational Trade in EndangeredSpecies, or CITES as it is known.From its beginnings in 1973, thisgroup meets every other year as awatchdog on the potentialdepletion or extinction throughreckless harvesting or collection ofrare and endangered species ofboth plants and animals. Whileeverything else passed muster withthe inspectors once we got back inthe States, we were informed thatthey were confiscating thesnowdrops because they were onthe CITES list, even though all ofthe bulbs had nursery labels in thesame, corresponding bags. In onecase it was even one of thosecommercially printed labels with acolor photo of the flower.

Galanthus had been included onthe CITES list because of theamount of wild collecting it hadbeen subjected to over the years. AsI understand it, snowdrops were allthe rage back in the seventeen andeighteen hundreds, and many ofthe wild populations from easternEurope and the Caucasusmountain region had been depleted

Hands and KneesGalanthus ‘Hippolyta’

oooooo

because of uncontrolled wildcollecting in many areas. In truesqueaky wheel fashion however,incessant phone calls on my partfinally convinced the forces thatwere that it made no sense todestroy these bulbs. Actually, itdoesn’t make much sense to destroysomething that’s endangered toteach the perpetrator a lesson, butin some cases that’s what they do.

It would be nice to say that thesefew bulbs have now become largesweeps and drifts of cheery bits ofbotanical Winter white throughoutthe property, but that would notquite be the truth. In fact, the bulbshave been multiplying, but at theslow pace that a pot-boundexistence can afford. We areplanning to change that this year sothat hopefully by this time in 2007,the abnormally larger blooms ofGalanthus Comet and G. John Graymight be available for someone elseto spread around. I could make theexcuse that having GalanthusHippolyta in a pot makes it so mucheasier to enjoy a peek at theunderside, where the wonder of thisdouble-flowered form can only beappreciated, but that would only bea partial truth — no, it’s a cop out.

It’s not raining that hard. I’dbetter get out there and startplanting.

Galanthus ‘John Gray’

Rain, rain go away - do not come again for many days.My feet are wet, my hair’s a mess, I wish to wear my new spring dress.Ark-building workshop was a success, room for all water-logged pets!Don’t you think they deserve a treat?

Horus’ Pick of the Week:The great new bargain basket on the front porch.

There is a lot of cool stuff in it.

February 1, 06 The Vashon Loop, p. 9

Deadline for next issue ofThe Loop is Friday, February 10.Email editor@vashonloop.comor drop off at Flash Photo andcall us at 463-3327.

Vashon Loop Staff

Writers: Kathy Abascal, DeborahAnderson, Marie Browne, EricFrancis, Jeff Hoyt, Troy Kindred,Melissa McCann, Orca Annie, RexMorris, Peter Ray, JonathanShipley, Ed Swan, Mary L. Tuel

Guest writers: Rachel Bard, MarjWatkins

Photographers: T Kindred, P RayJc Kindred, Alex Kindred

Original art, comics, cartoons: EdFrohning, Rick Tuel, Jeff Hawley

Ad sales and design:Troy Kindred and Marie Browne;ads@vashonloop.com;(206) 463-9207

Editor: Mary L. TuelPublishers: Marie Browne and TroyKindred

PO Box 253, Vashon, WA 98070editor@vashonloop.com;(206) 463-3327

Paid advertisements in The VashonLoop in no way express the opinionsof the publisher, editor, or staff. Wereserve the right to edit or not evenprint stuff. Deal with it.

Published every two weeksParadise Valley Press© February 1, 2006Volume III, Issue 3

Subscribe toThe Loop!

Hey, now you can get your Loop inthe mail! $50 will cover the costof postage and handling for a year.Send your check with your nameand address to: The Vashon Loop,PO Box 253, Vashon, WA 98070.

Mattress MakersQuality mattresses made to

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Zoup’s on at

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Loop Online:www.vashonloop.com

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PRE-PAID LEGAL SERVICES ®, INC.AND SUBSIDIARIESIDENTIFY THEFT SHIELDNEED WILL WRITTEN OR REVISED?

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After amonthof rain

isn’t it timefor soup?My wife and I weaned our twins

a couple weeks ago, closing acontinuous six-year loop ofpregnancy and nursing: pregnancy,nursing, another pregnancy, morenursing, more pregnancy, and so on.Today, Maria’s not pregnant, andshe’s not nursing. Her body andblood stream are her own again.Her breasts are public spectacle nolonger. Her prenatal vitamins ranout, and we’re not getting any more.

She celebrated with a doublemocha breve, made with realcoffee, with actual caffeine in it.Now that her chemistry is her own,the sky’s the limit, isn’t it? In additionto coffee, she could now have greentea, or cold medicine, or severalgirls-night-out Margaritas withoutworrying about passing it to thebabies in her breast milk. All thethings Maria has had to avoid arenow fair game: diet pop, obscurevegetables with lingering metallicafter-tastes, botox, peyote. It’s a greatbig world now.

So, we had to cut them off. (Thebabies from nursing, that is.) Theyhowled for days. With our olderkids, we’d gradually reduced thefrequency and length of the nursingand when it got down to almostnothing, we cut them off with littletrouble. But with our twins, it wasmore complicated.

When one baby got on, the otherwould scream and howl until theyboth got on, then they’d punch eachother in the head and jostle forposition like midget wrestlers untilMaria would push them both away,then they’d both scream and howleven louder. So reducing thefrequency didn’t work very well. Ithad to be a clean break, cold turkey,no lending our boobaholics a fiver,for old time’s sake, on their lastbender. When we cut them off forgood, they ranted and raved likeRay Milland in The Lost Weekend

cracker factory until the monkeysclimbed off their tiny little backs.

We’re already nostalgic about theunbroken pregnancy and nursingchain. But that nostalgic feelingpasses pretty quickly, like the liftingof some terrible amnesiac fog, whenwe realize there are still lots ofdiapers to change, bodily secretionsin muted grays and earth tones toclean up, sticky faces to wash, andloads more sleep to miss.

Friends and acquaintancessometimes ask, when makingconversation, “Are you gettingenough sleep?” It’s a sincerequestion, and a fair question, and agood topic for light conversationbecause of its relative conversationalsafety.

Sleep can’t be given outright,contracted for, loaned out, or tradedto another, unlike other humanneeds like food, cash or sex. “Areyou getting enough sex?” would giveone pause to ascertain thequestioner’s motives, the same as“Are you getting enough food? Howabout cash, are you getting enoughcash?” But asking about another’ssleep is a safe question, and thequestioner isn’t committing to someform of assistance merely by askingthe question.

The real answer to the sleepquestion is: of course we’re notgetting enough sleep. We haven’thad enough sleep for a little morethan five years. Frankly, weaning orno weaning, we won’t likely begetting much more sleep in theforeseeable future. And our friendswith small kids aren’t getting muchsleep either. It won’t get us any moresleep to complain about it, whenthere’s nothing that can be doneabout it anyway.

Sure, it’s the end of an era, butmostly just a symbolic end. All fourkids still need plenty of motheringand fathering and are still verydependent on Maria especially.There’s been a subtle shift in thebabies’ thinking. They actually letme put them down to sleep now,and then they actually go to sleep,instead of playing their usualnighttime games of Sippy-Cup-Tossand Squib-Kick-the-Daddy-Head.

We’ve Gota Lot of Kids

By Kevin Pottinger

A skeptic is a person who,when he sees the handwritingon the wall, claims it’s aforgery.

oooooo

February 1, 06The Vashon Loop, p. 10

Serving Vashonand West Seattle

The Dorsal Spin:

by Orca Annie Stateler

Breast CancerBy Weslie Rogers

So we go onto another food thatis often talked about in respect tobreast cancer, but with even lessdefinite recommendations thanantioxidants, and that is soy. Becausecancer mortality rates in China andJapan are the lowest of all countries,and the consumption of soy is higherin those countries than in others, aconnection between soy and lesscancer (more apoptosis — I love thatword!) has been assumed. To say“assumed” here keeps this connectionin perspective, because claims havebeen made, and then withdrawn,about the great benefit soy productsmay have on reducing cancer risks. “Isoflavones” (yet another newword), the main constituent in soy,some studies say, block estrogenfrom reaching the estrogen receptorson cells; the connection of estrogenand breast cells may stimulate breastcell growth But, this may happen onlyin post-menopausal women. Andthen again I’ve read that in post-menopausal women, concentratedsoy products may add estrogen (soybecomes pro-estrogen) and increasebreast cancer risk.

Two thoughts here: the adjectiveof “concentrated” describing soyhere may be the difference betweenthe benefits of soy in the East and soyin the West! Soy eaten in the US ismore highly processed than in Chinaor Japan, and even perhapsoverdone. I eat tempeh, a productusing whole soy beans, and edamame,the whole soy bean, leaving soy milkand tofu behind, and limit my intake,just in case! And products with“isolated soy protein,” which seem tobe multiplying, are even the mostprocessed and probably have theleast to do with the East, and the mostto do with breast cancer. Secondthought, deciding how to deal withbreast cancer is a process, with a lotof potential adjectives!

What about Vitamin D? It isconsidered both a hormone and a

vitamin and has shown some promisein treating breast cancer. But mostinteresting that I have found is thatof all the US states, the ones with thehigher rate of breast cancer, are all thenorthern states. Less sun, lessvitamin D absorption. But again,beware the magic pill! Becausevitamin D is fat soluble, it can buildup in the body, having the potentialto cause toxicity.

And talking about fat, (a popularsubject, along with breast cancer!), andagain to compare the West with theEast, many/most? Americans are saidto obtain 40-45% of their calories fromfat, while those in Japan have lowerrates of 10-25%. Both the AmericanCancer Society and the NationalCancer Institute recommend a dietwith 30% of one’s calories derivedfrom fat. Again, the recommendationis not easy/does not stop here. Thetype of fat is most important also,especially increasing one’s intake ofomega-3 fatty acids andmonounsaturated fatty acids whiledecreasing total fat intake. And again,Japan may shine here again becausethe diet there consists of more fish (agood source of omega-3) and lessmeat (a source of saturated fat in theSAD: StandardAmericanDiet — somemore fun, but serious, words!).

As with much information on theinternet or anyplace, there’ssometimes too much to sift through. The best sources that I’ve found areDr. Susan Love’s Breast Book (and I’vebeen using the third, year 2000edition; the fourth edition just waspublished), and How to Prevent andTreat Cancer with Natural Medicine byDr. Murray, Dr. Birdsall, Dr.Pizzorno, and Dr. Reilley. Otherinformation I’ve found just bygoogling (what!) “breast cancer” withthe subject included in theseparentheses. Interesting? And a lotof words...it’s helpful to find somefunny ones! Keep trying!

Questions? Please call me at 463-5566. Love, Weslie

Soy, Vitamin D & Omega-3, and More New Words

Endangered whales have beenappearing in unusual places. Iponder the symbolism of the Thameswhale floundering in distress anddying at the door of Parliament. Thisis the equivalent of a whaleswimming up the Potomac. I thinkthe take-home message from thewhales to world governments is,“Hey, you’re making it reallydifficult for us tosurvive in theoceans!”

A necropsy onthe 19-foot-longfemale NorthernBottlenose whalerevealed that shewas dehydrated andhad not eaten forthree days. Herkidneys failed.Preliminary resultsdid not find damageconsistent withexposure to militarysonar, a factor inother recent whalestrandings. Brainparasites, disease,toxins, and trauma from injuries canalso cause whales to becomedisoriented and strand. Further testsare pending.

In mid-January, a NorthAtlantic Right whale mother andher newborn wandered into the Gulfof Mexico near Corpus Christi, ‘wayoff course from the normalmigratory path. Despite the CoastGuard’s effort to alert local boaters,the baby whale sustained propellergashes on his back.

With a population of only 300,North Atlantic Right whales arecritically endangered. Because theytravel slowly along the busy Atlanticcoast, they are highly vulnerable toship strikes and entanglement infishing gear.

On an encouraging note, themother and baby Right whales werelast seen heading toward theAtlantic. As for the tragedy of theThames whale, the veterinarian whoexamined her commented that shedid not die in vain. When whalessurface in bizarre places, the public’scuriosity and sympathy are aroused.Think Springer. Whales benefit fromincreased concern for their welfare.

If you are interested in learningmore about a major threat to allwhales, attend the ACS/PS SpeakerSeries presentation on February 15,7:30 p.m., at the Phinney RidgeNeighborhood Center, 6532Phinney Ave. North, Seattle. GinaYlitalo, a research chemist forNorthwest Fisheries Science Center,will discuss toxins in marinemammals and fish. The talk is free,however donations are alwaysmuch appreciated. Call 206-781-4860 or check

www.acspugetsound.org fordirections and more information.

Please report local whalesightings ASAP to 463-9041.National Geographic channel hasbeen the only place on Vashon to seekiller whales lately. On January 25,a Dall’s porpoise mom and calflooked really excited aboutsomething in Colvos Pass. They

were semi-breaching, which is rarefor these porpoises. I saw a blunt,black snout and a little black andwhite body clear the water a fewtimes. Junior had a gray dorsal capeand a pointed, triangular fin,indicating he could be a hybrid of aharbor porpoise and a Dall’sporpoise. It pays to look carefully atyour porpoise neighbors. You mightget lucky and see one with exoticcoloration, a sign of a hybrid.

The robust, golden brown sealions in our waters are Steller, not“stellar,”* sea lions. In the last DorsalSpin, my spelling of Steller wasinadvertently changed to “stellar.”*Steller sea lions are so-named for theGerman naturalist Wilhelm Steller,who encountered and describedthese pinnipeds at Bering Island in1742. Another name for the Stellersea lion is Northern sea lion.

Local Steller sea lions are listedas threatened under the EndangeredSpecies Act. In Western Alaska,Steller sea lions are endangered.Several weeks ago, a Steller sea lionhauled out on the roof of a Prius inthe parking lot at Salty’s on Alki.Stellers do not bark like Californiasea lions.

I am not really a follower offootball, but I could be considered atwelfth whale. From the stands, Iroot for my home team, J, K and LPods, in an attempt to generateenthusiasm and “team spirit” forwhale conservation. If only morepeople could be as passionate aboutwhales as they are about sportsteams. Go, Southern Residents!

Contact Orca Annie at 463-9041or Vashonorcas@aol.com.

Musings of theTwelfth Whale

oooooo*Editor’s Note: Mea culpa. We

also have Steller blue jays.

oooooo

Feed your faith and yourdoubts will starve to death.

February 1, 06 The Vashon Loop, p. 11

oooooo

Happy Birthday Aquarius!You’ve never been one to hold back, but

you’ve reached a time in your life when younot only must say what you mean, but whenyou will profit substantially by doing so.Most people try to go halfway, which onlydelivers half of the message. You need to gofor the whole pineapple. While I would notsuggest you be diplomatic — which meanstwo-faced — I would say that a bit of styleand originality will go a long way for you.But strive to be real and the rest will comenaturally.

Aries (March 20-April 19): You arenearing the end of a long and complicatedprocess, but you’re not there yet. There maybe an issue that remains unresolved, orinformation that you need that you’recurrently working without. What you’reseeking will function on the level of amissing piece that allows the rest of whatyou’ve assembled to suddenly make sense.You’ve crossed a great distance on yoursearch — and gone back and done it again— and the journey was not for the workalone. Make sure you end up with the onediscovery you were seeking. For a clue,remember what was happening in earlyOctober.

Taurus (April 19-May 20): I am wellaware that for Taurus during these days andthese years, it never seems like the rip-roaring changes are over. If it’s not one thing,it’s another. But you’re in a process that isworking in levels, and you are coming tocompletion on one of the more meaningfulones. Others will follow more steadily thanyou may imagine, but for now, I suggestyou take it one layer at a time. Each willoffer you a level of freedom, resolution andrelief. You may not get answers right away,but the questions will seem less difficult anddemanding.

Gemini (May 20-June 21): If you’re notnoticing the state of uncertainty in your life,I suggest you look closer. In any event, Iwould suggest that you give importantdecisions a little more time, anywhere froma few days to a week, because yourperspective is likely to shift so much thatyou’ll be in entirely different territory.There seems to be an issue over what is true,whether it could possibly be true, and whatyou feel is possible. In many respects theseare matters of belief — and belief is preciselywhat’s up for grabs. Take it slow, get thefacts, and use them well.

Cancer (June 21-July 22): The pressureis on; it seems that at every turn, there is anew commitment or obligation to fulfill.You’re in a position that many could not

understand precisely because youunderstand commitment and obligation sodifferently than others. What develops laterthis week will give you a good indicationof how you’re handling certain long-termdevelopments and changes that have, itworks out, allowed you to be more effectiveand bring a lot more energy to meetingthose commitments. I know it’s a lot of work— but as you will soon see, it’s truly worthit.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 23): Events this weekrepresent a change in the level of arelationship. It’s not exactly a turning point;the players are the same, and the generaldirection of things is likely to continue in apredictable direction. But what is differentis the sense of where you’re at, what you’redoing and moreover, the meaning of it all.Of all the qualities that shift when somethingmoves to a new level, the sense of meaningis the most definite among them. Oftenwhen we observe change, the contrast andheightened perspective make things all themore obvious.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22): Whateverpressures you’ve been under lately, youseem to be getting accustomed to them. Youthrive on demands because you thrive onbeing in service, and we are certainly livingthrough high times in that regard. Peoplesuch as yourself are the ones who will infact help the world through its current mess,because you have the vision, you have theenergy and you have the completelyoverdeveloped sense of responsibility thatdoing anything with integrity demands inthese strange years. Just make sure you takecare of yourself; get away from the structurefrom time to time, and give yourself space.

Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23): The word“creativity” has all kinds ofmisunderstandings draped on it, but inastrology, the concept can be conveyed asany passionate, daring act that leads tosomething new. This is a state of mind morethan it is an action, and this state of mind iscoming on strong in your life right now. Asthe current days progress, the matchingopportunities will present themselves, andyou may find yourself with the chance to gobeyond any prior idea about what it meansto explore life. Really embracing creativitymeans taking on more than sweetness andstarlight, but it’s clear that you’re ready.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22): You’renormally one of those people withboundless energy, and these days you maynot know when to quit. At the moment,pumping your electric brain muscle andkeeping in the stream of constant activity isproviding you with both the feeling of

safety and a measure of actual security. Butmake sure that you don’t feed the illusionof security and lose sight of the real thing.You’re in territory where your most sincereconcern needs to be knowing how youactually feel, particularly where certaindomestic situations are concerned. At theleast, be honest with yourself.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22): Thereappears to be an overwhelming level ofactivity in your environment, or maybe it’sjust your mental environment. Whateverthe case may be, the energy is real and youneed to harness it in the most constructivepossible way. And there is a way, thoughit’s likely to be a new skill or techniqueyou’ve learned; something that you’verecently added to your considerablerepertoire of personal gifts. New skills areoften not easily accessed and sometimes weforget they are there. But in the midst of thecurrent buzz of activity, stop and remember,and use what you know.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20): By nowyou’re beginning to see the light on aparticular business situation, and you mayfeel like you’re the one putting out most ofthe energy while partners or colleagues aredragging their feet. I don’t suggest youspend your time waiting; it’s time for youto make as much progress as you can. And ifit turns out that there’s not much progressto be made through the involvement ofothers at this particular point, you shouldbe content to go it alone and trust that, whenthe time is right, you will find the rightcollaborators. But at the moment, doingnothing is not a wise option.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19): Currentaspects may seem to be presenting you withmore limits than options, and moreobstacles than ways to express yourself. It isa matter of perspective. If you notice thatyou lack options, that at least can be pointingyou in the direction of creating some. Whileat times this may seem like a pointlessexercise, by one way of looking at life it’sthe most valuable skill you can possiblyhave. We cannot be free without makingdecisions; and decisions are based on choices.For those to whom freedom matters, then,options are all you really need.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Most of theplanetary activity is taking place in an angleof your chart where you cannot easily seewhat is developing. You may sense thatsomething is indeed brewing and theamount of energy involved may have youon edge because the details are, at this time,impossible to discern. Where you can feelthe movement, however, is in the angle ofyour chart where you do your work and liveout your dharma, or sacred responsibility— and in that house you have Saturn makingit seem as if you came to the Earth merelyfor the purpose of eternally serving others.But you can and indeed must trust thatthere’s something in it for you.

A successful marriageisn’t about finding the rightperson; it’s about being theright person.

February 1, 06The Vashon Loop, p. 12

LIVING WELL WITH PLANTSText and drawings by Kathy Abascal (AHG)

463-4764

Organic Produce DeliveryFresh, certified organically grown fruits and

vegetables delivered to your home or office

Visit our website atwww.farmfreshorganic.com

1/2 OFF

your first

order

Dear Jayne (AKA Organic Goddess Lady),Once again I am writing to express mygratitude for your awesome food. Theavocados last week were gorgeous, and thestrawberries two weeks ago were a great tasteof spring - unlike those monster red on theoutside white on the insde no flavor thingsthey call strawberries now. Thank you!

Come in and warm up witha bowl of homemade soup

and bread!

NEW WINTER HOURS!Mon to Fri 8:00 am to 2:30 pm

Sat and Sun - 7:00 am to 3:00 pm

oooooo

We are in the midst of a verygray, rainy winter. Lack of daylightcauses SAD (seasonal affectivedisorder), which expresses itself in— with individual variations —depression, fatigue, changes in sleep,carbohydrate and alcohol cravings,weight gain, and loss of libido. SomeSAD people simply function lessefficiently in winter; othersexperience full blown depression.People who move from moreS o u t h e r nregions have anincreased risk ofSAD althoughmany wille v e n t u a l l yadapt to thelong, darkwinter. In mostpeople withSAD, thesymptoms meltaway as thedays growlonger butreturn when the earth again tiltsaway from the sun.

The exact mechanism at play inSAD is unknown but SAD peopledo have aberrant melatoninproduction. Exposure to daytimelight can normalize their melatoninlevels and some researchers suspectthat an abnormal melatoninsynthesis causes SAD. Otherresearchers think that low brainlevels of serotonin may cause SADnoting that people with SAD oftenexperience cravings forcarbohydrates and weight gainduring winter. This may be a formof self-medication becausecarbohydrates stimulate the releaseof serotonin. In one study, peoplewith SAD felt more alert after a highcarbohydrate meal while thosewithout SAD felt more tired.Another indication that serotonin isinvolved is that taking tryptophan(a serotonin precursor) or serotoninreuptake-inhibiting drugs improveSAD symptoms.

Fortunately, there are naturaltreatments for SAD. The leastinvasive and best researched is lighttherapy which had a positive effecton 70% of SAD people. Butinterestingly, the type of lighttherapy is not all that important.Bright, medium, and dim light gave

positive results. The timing is alsonot critical: There were positiveresults when light was applied atnight or in the morning althoughthere does appear to be a greaterbenefit from doing the treatmentmorning and night. And nosignificant difference was notedwhether full spectrum or cool whitelight was used.

In general, light therapy isadministered for an hour or so eachday, typically in front of fairly brightlights (3,000 to 10,000 lux). But it ispossible that an equivalent amountof daylight exposure may work evenbetter. In one study, patients whowalked for an hour a day did betterthan patients who sat in front of alight for ½ hour per day. Thewalkers’ symptoms improved and inaddition, they spent less time in bed,got up earlier, and reduced theircarbohydrate intake. Of course, thewalking itself may also be providinga benefit as studies show thatregular exercise can alleviatedepression.

Using light to simulate dawnmay provide yet more significant

benefits. Thisinvolves slowlyincreasing theintensity of lightin the bedroomfor an hour anda half in theearly morning.In the studies,lamps produced250 lux by 6a.m., and werecompared toplacebo andvery brightlights. The

dawn light did a better job atimproving melatonin levels,awakening, and morningdrowsiness. You can buy bothdawn simulating alarm clocks aswell as plug-in devices that convertyour bedside lamp into a gentlesummer dawn.

Another way to cope with SADis to take St. John’s wort. This herb,well known for its beneficial effectin depression, has also been studiedsome in SAD. In one study, patientstook 900 mg/day of St. John’s wortalong with light therapy (300 or3000 lux for 2 hours a day). Patientfatigue, depression, anxiety,lethargy, appetite, libido, and sleepimproved. Another study tested St.John’s wort alone, and it was aseffective as fluoxetine, a prescriptionantidepressant. These studies usedcapsules but St. John’s wort tinctureworks just as well as long as you takea sufficiently large dose.

St. John’s wort is a very safeplant but it does speed up liverdetoxification. This means that itaffects how quickly certainprescription medicines are clearedfrom your body and may affect theintended action of those drugs. Ifyou are on prescription medicines,you may do better with some othersupplements that have shown a

benefit in SAD: Tryptophan,melatonin, or vitamin D3.Tryptophan was banned after aJapanese company used geneticengineering to produce tryptophanand ended up with a toxic,contaminated product. 5HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), a precursor totryptophan, is still available andworks just as well. Melatonin hasbeen tested at low doses in theafternoon (0.125 mg) as well as indoses of 2 mg at night. Bothimproved sleep and vitality in many,but not all, of those studied. Finally,fish as food, fish oil as a supplementor a good D vitamin can be veryhelpful.

It takes some will power to walkon chilly, rainy days but it reallydoes feel great when you get backhome from that walk. I knowbecause my dogs walk me everymorning, rain or shine. And maybe

Beating the Winter Blues

I should thank them for keeping thewinter blues away.

Kathy Abascal is aprofessional member of theAmerican Herbalists Guild and iscertified by Michael Moore of theSouthwest School of BotanicalMedicine. She co-authored thebook Clinical Botanical Medicine.

You can email her atAnemopsis@yahoo.com if youhave questions about herbs, callher to schedule a privateconsultation (463-9211) or stop bythe Roasterie to buy her tinctures.

February 1, 06 The Vashon Loop, p. 13

by Rachel Bard

Book Review

A formerly famous detective hasretired in southern England to tendhis beehives. He’s fairly content,except for the inevitable creakinessand slowing down that come withaging. In 1944 his solitary existenceis interrupted when a nine-year-oldmute German boy with a parrot onhis shoulder strays into the oldman’s vision, moseying along therailroad tracks in front of his house.

The old man rises jerkily from hischair to “negotiate the shifting pilesof ancient-bachelor clutter—newspapers both cheap and ofquality, trousers, bottles of salve andliver pills, learned annals andquarterlies, plates of crumbs—thatmade treacherous the crossing of hisparlor, to open his front door to theworld.” Thus does Michael Chabonin these few words show us almostall we need to know about the oldman.

Though the boy is unable toexplain who he is and why he’sthere, and the old man’s German issketchy, the two establish a rapport.Only Bruno the parrot is voluble,softly singing strings of numbers inGerman: “Zwei eins sieben funf viersieben drei.”

The boy and his parrot wanderoff. The old man returns to his lairand his bees.

Michael Chabon builds on thisopening scene to weave anengrossing tale. Presently we comeagain on the boy, Linus, in theboardinghouse where he’s beingsheltered as a war refugee. Keyplayers in the ensuing dramainclude Mr. and Mrs. Panicker,proprietors of the house: he a blackIndian Anglican vicar, she a kind-hearted uncomplicated soul; Mr.Shane, a self-confident travelingsalesman from Yorkshire; Reggie,the loutish Panicker son; Mr.Parkins, the other lodger, whosuspects everybody including theparrot; and Martin Kalb, the socialworker who supervises Linus’swelfare.

Shane is murdered and Brunodisappears. The police think Shaneplanned to sell the parrot to a rare-bird dealer, that Reggie had thesame idea and tried to take the birdfrom Shane, killing him in thescuffle. The Panickers fear Reggiemay be guilty. Parkins is sure it hassomething to do with Bruno’smysterious strings of numbers: asecret code? We don’t know whatLinus thinks, except that he’swoebegone at the loss of hiscompanion.

And what does the old manthink? He thinks about his bees. It’stime for the honey harvest. On a latesummer morning he goes out to his

hives, a row of gabled boxes like acontented city. At the first hive, “acouple of workers loitered outsidethe round portal of the city.‘Morning, ladies,’ he said; orperhaps he merely thought it.”Linus chances by and helps the oldman with the backbreaking choresof removing trays and carryingthem to the honey extractor. Theboy manages to convey, byscratching out a name on hisnotepad, a clue to the mystery of themissing parrot.

Now the old man is energized.He sets out to find the parrot and,incidentally, to solve the murdermystery. The master sleuth gathersthe threads of evidence, and we seehow it must have been when hesolved all those famous cases in thepast. “A delicate, inexorable latticeof inferences began to assemblethemselves, like a crystal, in the oldman’s mind, shivering, catching thelight in glints and surmises. It wasthe deepest pleasure life couldafford, this deductivecrystallization, this paroxysm ofguesswork, and one that he hadlived without for a terribly longtime.”

Naïve readers (like yourreviewer) who hadn’t read thejacket copy may get a glimmer aboutnow that this old detective in hisInverness cape has an uncannyresemblance to Sherlock Holmes.Indeed, Holmes in retirement wasChabon’s model, but he gives us afar less steely and calculating man,a man with compassion, if only forbees and little boys. And though thisis a detective story, with the requisitesuspense and surprising conclusion,it’s much more. Chabon, deftly andwith economy of words, brings allthe disparate characters into focus.We know them, we understandthem and we like most of them. Bestof all, he writes with such precision,originality and humor that everypage is a pleasure. A very good readindeed.

Pause for CommercialA recent review of The Elements

of Style assumed, perhapsmistakenly, that most readers wouldlike to be better writers. I still believethat should be the case, even if youwrite nothing but e-mails. (And weall know what horrors areperpetrated in e-mails, including ourown hastily written and imperfectlyedited messages.) To those whocare, I recommend another littlebook that could smooth the way towriting proficiency. It’s written forstudents, but aren’t we all stilllearning? Newswriting Guide: AHandbook for Student Reporters,Fourth Edition, by Rachel Bard. Theauthor would be glad to providemore information:rachelb@raincity.com

The Case of thePurloined Parrot

The Final Solution: a Storyof Detection, by MichaelChabon. HarperCollins, 2004

Hilary Emmer, Tax Consultant,Thursdays, January 26 – April 6, 11:30

a.m. to 1:00 p.m.This is a free service for people who make

$25,000 or less. She will provide help withProperty Tax Exemption forms for seniors atleast 62 years old with an income under $35,000,including Social Security. Forms will beprovided. Drop in or by appointment. CallHilary at 206-463-7277.

Tax Assistance from AARP VolunteersWednesdays, February 1 - April 12, 12:30

to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.AARP volunteers will provide assistance

with electronic filing tax return for those over 60and/or low-income individuals in the Vashonarea. Bring last year’s tax return and informationfor 2004. Drop in or by appointment. Call theVashon Senior Center for appointment 206-463-5173.

JobFind: Employment Help for AdultsThursday, February 2 and 9,9:15 to 11 a.m.Your search for employment just got easier!

JobFind can help you whether you areunemployed or underemployed. Vashon Youth& Family Services has partnered withWorkSource, as part of the Rural WorkSourceConnection project, to help Island residents whoare seeking to improve, change or find livingwage jobs. Typical discussions include:networking, uncovering the hidden job market,dynamite resumes, marketing yourself with agreat cover letter, polish your pitch, road blocksand getting past “no.” Registration not required.

SAT PreparationSaturday, February 4, 1 to 5 p.m.SAT Practice TestSaturday, February 11, 10 to 11:30 a.m.A practice exam is given on one Saturday,

then a scoreback session is scheduled for reviewof scores, to learn test taking tips and to discusscollege admissions. For students in high schoolwho are preparing to take PSAT or SAT tests.Website: www.theprincetonreview.com. Pre-register at the Vashon Library: 463-2069. Spaceis limited; you MUST pre-register to participate.

Great Books Discussion GroupMonday, February 6, 7 p.m.The Great Books Discussion Group has

been meeting at the Vashon Library for 30 years!The idea of small groups meeting to discussgreat literature was started by the University ofChicago and groups now meet in hundreds ofcities around the country. Our book group meetson the first Monday of each month and ourdiscussions include all types of great literature,from ancient to modern times. Please join us forsome very stimulating conversations.

Toddler Story TimeTuesday, February 7, 10:40 a.m.Ages 21 months to 3 years with an adultA 20-minute program of stories and songs

just right for toddlers. No registration required.

Talk TimeTuesdays, February 7 and 147 to 8:30 p.m.Practice speaking English in a relaxed

setting. All nationalities and skill levels arewelcome. Free! No registration required.

Lapsit Story TimeWednesdays, February 1 and 8, 10:40 a.m.Newborn to 20 months with an adultA 20-minute program of stories, songs,

rhymes and bounces for babies and a caregiver.No registration required.

Preschool Story TimeWednesdays, February 1 and 8, 11:30 a.m.Ages 3-5Join us for 30 minutes of stories, songs and

fun! No registration required.Family Story TimeThursday, February 2, 7 to 7:45 p.m.This cozy evening Story Time includes

stories, songs and a simple craft for childrenand parents to enjoy together. No registrationrequired.

LateNight@the LibrarySaturday, February 11, 6 to 10 p.m.Create a pop-up valentine for somebody

special. Have your fortune told. Participate inthe Vashon Library Cyber Café and surf theworld wide web or play a game of chess, cards,Magic, or Monopoly. Refreshments! DoorPrizes! For students in grades 6-12. Securitywill be provided.

Opera Previews with Norm Hollingshead:Cosi fan TutteMusic by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,Libretto by Lorenzo da PonteSunday, February 12, 2 p.m.Join Norm Hollingshead, veteran Seattle-

area lecturer for an Opera Preview of Cosi fantutte. Mozart’s final comic opera, first performedin 1790, is a humorous look at the twists andturns of romantic love. The story begins withtwo young men, Ferrando and Guglielmo,arguing with the older and more skeptical DonAlfonso that their fiancées, the sisters Fiordiligiand Dorabella, would never betray them. Aidedby Despina, the sisters’ maid, the men hatch aplot to test the women’s loyalty. They disguisethemselves as soldiers and woo each other’slovers, managing through various tricks to winover the initially reluctant women. As deeperfeelings surface, however, the suitors becomeuneasy with their antics, and once the deceptionis unmasked, Don Alfonso steps in, and all isresolved. Or is it? Registration not required.

Introduction to the Internet, Level 1Wednesday, February 156:30 to 8:30 p.m.Learn how to use web pages on the Internet

by clicking links, typing web addresses, andprinting useful information. Pre-registration isrequired and begins February 1st. Call 463-2069 to register.

Vashon Library ProgramsFebruary 1 -- 15, 2006

A snooze button is a poorsubstitute for no alarm clock atall.

Food Stamps On VashonOn the first Wednesday of every

month, from 10 a.m. to 1:50 p.m., aDSHS worker will be at VashonYouth & Family Services (463-5511)to take food stamp applications andanswer questions about other DSHSservices. Clients may also go to theDSHS office in White Center. Formore information, please call DSHSat 341-7430.

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February 1, 06The Vashon Loop, p. 14

Island Epicure by Marj Watkins

Madame Toujours

Call 463-3232 or checkwww.vashontheater.com

for times

Memoirs of a GeishaSyriana

February 1, 2

History ofViolence

February 3-9

Many of us cook for only one ortwo, but our cookbook recipes usuallyproduce dishes large enough to servefour to six or more people. We don’tmind eating the same thing twicewhen it tastes even better warmed thenext day than the first time we servedit. But we like variety in our meals,too.

Here are some ways you canmorph one main dish into anotherappetizingly different entrée or ahearty soup. Enjoy the adventure oftransforming some of your ownfavorite dishes into new forms.Here’s a sample mother recipe, aBelgian top-of-the-stove meat dishthat morphs into a Transylvanianstew.

Carbonade de Boeuf Flamande ratesfive stars! Everyone who has evereaten this dish at our table has askedfor the recipe. Try it and you’llbecome famous as a gourmet cook.

If there’s a portion or two leftover, add a few vegetables and you’llhave a fabulous beef stew. (SeeTransylvanian Ragout, below)

Carbonade de Boeuf Flamande(Belgian Beef & Beer Stew)

Prep Time: 35 minutes Cookingtime: 1 hour 38 minutes Servings: 4

2 Tablespoons olive oil1 large onion, wedge sliced1/2 leek, split lengthwise, cleaned

and sliced2 or 3 cloves garlic, sliced1 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves1 bay leaf, broken in piecesPinch dried or fresh rosemary

leaves1 lb. stewing beef or round steak

cut in bite-size pieces1/2 cup flour for dredging beef1 teaspoon salt, or to taste1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground

black pepper1 cup Coors or other light beerWater to cover

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large,heavy skillet. Stir-fry the onion 3 to 5minutes. Add leek, garlic and herbs.Stir-fry 3 minutes more. Remove andreserve vegetables.

Dredge beef, shaking off excessflour. Brown the meat in the same

Dear Madame Toujours,I was out on the nightclub scene

last night looking for someone Icould really connect with. I saw areally cute girl sitting with herfriends. She looked kind of nice andsweet and smiled a lot, so I wentover. I told her she was really cuteand her friends were kind of ugly,and asked her if she wanted to ditchthem and come home with me.

Can you believe, she threw herdiet coke in my face, called me somenames and told me to take a hike. Ican’t figure it out. I complimentedher, bought her drinks, tried tomake her feel special, and shethrows a drink at me. Did I dosomething wrong? Is this like thatthing where girls don’t like nice guysand they really want some jerk totreat them like dirt?

Sincerely, Hurt andMisunderstood

Cher M. Misunderstood,Quelle domage. You are indeed

having the big misunderstandingswith the injured feelings and thepride and so forth. Let me to explainfor you the errors. First is theinsulting of the friends.Naturellement, you are supposingthat she will be pleased to know thatshe is more attractive than thefriends. Oui, you are very correct inthis. Unfortunately, you are makingthe mistake to be damning her withthe faint praises. Mlle., she isthinking, “Not only is he insultingfor me the bosom friends, but he isfinding me to be slightly moreattractive than the Hunchback ofNotre Dame.”

Next time you are attempting toattract the notice of la belle femme inthe company of her friends, take thetime to remark casually andwithout much interest, “Yourfriends, they are unusuallyattractive. Possibly you are all themodels?” Now Mlle., she isunderstanding that you are findingher to be the superior catch.

Probably, she will assure youthat, non, they are not the models.This is excellent. Now you arehaving the convenient opening toinquire about her career as you aregazing seductively into the eyes. Shewill find this very attractive. She willgo home with you and have the sex.Good for you.

Now I am explaining theunfortunate misconception that thefemale persons are liking to be

skillet, adding more oil as needed.Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Returnthe onion mixture to the pan. Addbeer and water.

Reduce heat to medium low.Cover. Simmer until meat is fork-tender, about 1 1/2 hours.

Menu: Carbonade de BoeufFlamande; salad of sliced tomatoes,minced fresh parsley and vinaigrette;braised summer squash or zucchini;or frozen peas or beans cooked witha dash of chicken granules and butter;microwaved potatoes, or butteredfettuccini or egg noodles, or rice pilaf;and a platter of sliced apples andoranges for a simple, healthy dessert.Beverage: Merlot, Semillon red, orCabernet wine; or Cider, cranberry-apple juice, or water with a slice oflemon.

Quick Transylvanian RagoutPrep Time: 10 minutes Cooking

time: About 12 minutes Servings: 41/2 recipe Carbonade de Boeuf, or

about 2 cups any cooked beef1 medium size onion, chopped1 carrot, sliced1/16 teaspoon caraway seeds2 teaspoons paprika1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram¼ pound pre-sliced mushrooms1 cup water or beef stockSalt and pepper to tasteQuick thickening, optional2 teaspoons cornstarch or rice

flour2 Tablespoons water or sherry1/2 cup light sour cream or plain

yoghurtCombine all ingredients except the

thickening and the sour cream oryoghurt. Bring to boiling. Simmeruntil mushrooms are done, about 7minutes. In a small cup, dissolve starchin water or sherry. Stir-cook untilsauce thickens and clears. Ladle intosoup bowls. Top each serving with adollop of sour cream or yogurt.

Menu: Transylviania Ragout,salad of leafy green lettuce leaves,washed, patted dry (with papertowels or clean tea towel), garnishedwith pickled beet slices or gratedfresh beet, and quartered boiled eggs,served with ranch-style dressing.

Carbonade de BoeufFlamande

treated with the contempt and thecruelty. This is the big foolishness.What the male persons are noticingis that everybody is liking more thething that is very valuable andscarce. If you are the big, hairy jerk,then you achieving this by goingaway as soon as the sex is over andhaving sex with many other people.

If you are the sensible personwho is the ornament to her life, youare demonstrating for her yourvalue by not following her aroundlike the stalker. What for are youwanting to do that? You are thepopular, likeable fellow who ishaving the life, n’est pas?

Bon Chance, M. Misunderstood.By using the little psychologies, youare not having to make yourself thebig jerk.

CasanovaSecond Film to be

announced!February 10-16

Underworld

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ooooooThe Loop online:www.vashonloop.com

February 1, 06 The Vashon Loop, p. 15

Positively SpeakingBy Deborah Anderson

IF YOU FALL ON YOUR TUSH

AND YOU GET A BIG PAIN

COME TO DR. BASILE

TO GET RID OF YOUR PAIN!

Hoytus InterruptusBy Jeff Hoyt

Somebody dissed the song “TheRainbow Connection” in mypresence one time during a meetingand it caused me to seriously listenwith an ear to the “cheese” factor.

Yup, it’s got a little hokey dokeyto it. I like that about a song. And Iliked that scene in the movie whereKermit is strumming away on hisbanjo in the swamp. That is how ithappened right? I’m not going torewatch the movie. I don’t researchthis column THAT heavily.

I’ve been waiting for weeks totell you all what happened whileyou were watching the Seahawksgame three games ago. Not this pastSuperbowl, not the championshipone, but the playoffs one.

While the streets were void oftraffic and the world was silentbecause everyone was listening towhat was going on at QuestStadium, my daughter and I werespeeding toward the north end ferry.I don’t like football and I neverwatch it unless it’s the ultimategame. Penn State at the Cotton Bowlwas my usual annual trek till theychanged the configuration of thePac ten or whatever it was they didthat shifted everyone around.

Suddenly there it was in all it’sbreathtaking beauty: the clearest,most intense density of rainbowcolours I’ve ever seen. “It even hasblue” my daughter exclaimed. Blueseems to be the least present colour.

As I bent my head to catchsnatches of its arches through thetrees, I talked to it. “Please be therewhen I get to the dock. Please bethere when I get to the dock.”

It was. Stretching from water’ssurface to water’s surface, it was acomplete, solid arch of all the colourssupposedly attributed to theproverbial rainbow. I couldn’tbelieve that everyone on the dockwasn’t out of their cars shootingpictures or worshiping inoverwhelming awe at the grandeur.

Perhaps it was a promise of asuperbowl win. Perhaps it was justone of those moments that remindyou life is bigger than time and space.For me, it said one thing: “Don’tQuit.”

In the Judeo-Christian tradition,the rainbow is a sign of faith andmercy and starting over on a betterfoot. To me, it was a reminder of theimportance of hanging in there forthe long haul. I mean, how manyparts or pieces of rainbows have Iseen in my lifetime? Many. How

many times have the Seahawks triedto win? Many. And this I knowwithout knowing you, how manytimes have you felt like you wantedto quit? Many.

Quit what? Whatever. Apersonal plan, a relationship, ahouse remodel, a dream, a purchase,a business try. Whatever.

Life is pretty much solved in ahurry according to TV and movies.The real truth is life takes a lifetime.You try and try and try and try andtry.

It’s important to keep going. It’simportant to stay the course. Why?Because anything worth doing wellis worth doing for a long time.Breakthroughs appear in a momentbut happen over the course of manyyears. We need to live for the longhaul.

I will plug one of my all timefavourite movies. It’s called Door toDoor It’s the story of Bill Porter(played by William Macy), asalesman born with cerebal palsy.When refused a sales route becauseof his disability, he asks for thetoughest route that no one elsewants. As he sits on a bench eatinghis lunch that first day, he finds hismother has printed “Patience” onone side of his sandwich and“Persistence” on the other.

That’s what life takes. And cheerwhile you’re working. Do it with asmile.

The rainbow I saw that day willencourage me forever. It was worthwaiting for. Whatever it is you havebeen wanting to quit, don’t. If itmeant something to you in thebeginning, it is worth seeing itthrough to the end. Last weekend Ispent time with friends I hadn’t seenin several decades. When last I sawthem, I wore a leg brace. Learningto walk without that has been ajourney in itself. I’m so glad all thetimes I looked at my leg or mydrooping big toe and said, “I wishthey’d cut the damn thing off!” thatno one was listening. Next fall Iwant to take a ballet class just tocelebrate. We all have dozens oftriumphs waiting to be realized.

Be encouraged. Talk withsomeone about what they areworking on. Remind them, andyourself, slow and steady wins therace. And “look, look for theRainbow!” Oh. Different song.Different rainbow. Go for the pot’ogold.

The Rainbow Connection is Not Just for Frogs

As Seattle Seahawk fans across theNorthwest rev up for their virginal SuperBowl experience, I’m quick to remindthem to enjoy every minute of the ride.There’s never any guarantee whatsoeverthat the experience will be repeated anytime soon.

I should know. My favorite teamwent to the Super Bowl, but only once. Infact, it was twenty years ago and they’venever been back since. I made theexperience count, though. I actually wentto the game. And all I had to do to getthere was adopt someone else’s identity

Super Bowl: Been There,Done That

Now that 2005 is over, it’s time to take a fresh look into what lies ahead for 2006.I see a couple of economic speed bumps in the road, particularly for some homeowners:

On January 10, Paul Craig Roberts, Reagan’s Assistant Secretary of the Treasury,published an article where he quoted some very disturbing numbers. Roberts reports:“In 2005 for the first time on record consumer, business, and government spendingexceeded the total income of the country. Net national savings actually fell.” Readthat sentence again:”…for the first time on record…”

Now that’s not good news. It suggests to me that US consumers should be veryconservative now, or at least careful, in their economic outlook. The ship of state isdrifting into very shallow water.

The Bush administration reminds me of the proverbial carpenter who only ownsone tool: a hammer. To him, everything looks like a nail. Actually, Bush owns twohammers—a military claw and a tax cut mallet. No matter what the problem is, he islikely to address it by either sending in the military or by giving fat cats more taxbreaks. It makes life simple for him but very complicated for the rest of us. HurricaneKatrina…no problem: cut taxes. Bird Flu…that’s easy: send in the marines.

Consider the potential economic fallout of any of the following: we are in themiddle of a constitutional crisis with the Bush administration advancing the theoryof the “unitary executive” (in other words, the president is really our elected king),we’re engaged in a war in Iraq with expenses now projected to be between one andtwo $Trillion (enough money to shore up social security for 75 years), a potential warin Iran, great income differentials between the rich and the poor (more crime andsocial turmoil), poorly designed tax policies (unintended consequences), adysfunctional congress (systemic corruption), uncertain oil supplies (inflation andpoverty), high deficits (shrinking social safety net), low personal and national savingsrates (financial insecurity), a possible currency crisis leading to a spike in interestrates if China and/or others decide to move money from dollars to another currency,and then there’s always the threat of another terrorist attack.

None of these are certain to become the next economic nightmare, but the growingprobability that any one or two of them might, is troubling to say the least. A downturnin the economy, for example, accompanied by higher interest rates could be veryunpleasant.

So what does this mean to you? It means, for one thing, that you should be verycareful about how you manage debt. If you recently financed your home with aninterest only mortgage, you are skating on thin ice. In fact, any variable rate debtcould be a problem.

So how risky is variable interest rate debt? Well, you never really know.Conceivably, as risky as quitting your job at Microsoft to make your fortune in a rockand roll band? Now I’m usually very supportive of people who want to take achance on their dreams. After all, how do I know you won’t become the next Sting?But when it comes to variable rate debt, just make sure that instead of becoming Sting,you don’t end up being stung instead.

for the better part of a week while tryingnot to get caught.

The full story can be heard in gloriousmp3 stereo on a computer or music playernear you. Hoytus Interruptus, the podcast,is found at http://www.hoytus.com. Or,if you have iTunes, search “hoytus” inthe Music Store and you’ll get to thepodcast that way. From there, you caneither play the show right there at yourcomputer, or click on the “subscribe”button to have each new Hoytus podcastdownloaded directly to your hard drivewhenever a new episode is unleashed.

This story, like all of my podcasts,employs a technique I call “lyricalstorytelling.” The narrative unfolds overa bed of music and is written to move andflow with the rhythm beneath it. Musicalguests in this latest podcast includeQueen, Peter Gabriel, and They Might BeGiants.

Financial Planning 101: Don’t Get StungBy Mark Goldman

oooooooooooo

oooooo

February 1, 06The Vashon Loop, p. 16

Loop ~ Sports

Richer Rankings by StateChamp Rick Wheeler!

12. Andy Soapbox Sears. Hecan propose (yes he’s gettingmarried) and compose (yes, hisbasketball team is 13-2 this year)at the same time.Congratulations!

13. Masta’ Quang. He’s arising star and a Seahawk fan!

14. Allison Pritchard. The bestT/A west of Sioux Falls.

15. Alexis Daniels. BusDriver, Night Clubber, BusDriver, Great Hugger.

16. Captain Art Hoggins. Asober captain. This world needsyou!

17. Haruki Murakami. Hewrote a story about a frog and aworm that was actually readable.

18. Mike Holmgren. Acoaching genius and the last fourletters of his last name arelegendary.

19. Madeline Wolzcko. Themeanest looking Mustang so far.

20. Steve Smith. Good try,guy!

Hey Ernest,Why don’t you write about

some high school winter sports?The teams are raging in the rain.Rik F. wrote an article about them,so why don’t you?

Edward “Scissorhands”Protzeller

(Can you believe I can typewith these scissors?)

Okay Scissorhands, Here goes:Girls Basketball: They are 5-2

in League so far and have a homegame on Friday, February 3rd at5:00 vs. Steilacoom. Come outand show your magic finger spirit.

Boys Basketball: Now 13-2and running and gunning. Homegame on Friday, February 3rd vs.Steilacoom at 7:00. And ShaneDavis should be back. (Also, youcan check out Soapbox Sears’ newring!)

Wrestling: 7-0 in League andsoon to be starting post season.Placed 5th in the (wet) DreamDuals in Spokane last weekend).Undefeated Wrestlers wereDuncan Mayshark, Freight TrainGateman (pinned all hisopponents), and Micah JordanSohl (beat Othello’s returningstate champ 11-7).

VHS students prepare for the bright lightssure to be shining on them come playoffs.

It gets cold waiting for Superbowl ticketsto go on sale, but John “I’ve got friends inDetroit” Murray presents a picture ofconfidence.

“You got a little ticklish spot that Stemerslightly flicks every time, don’t you,Wildflower?”

oooooo

The geometra in Italy performs roughly the combinedfunctions of an architect, site foreman, and engineer incharge of buildings and land use issues. He or she isalso the person who liaisons with the buildingauthorities, public bodies, and local councils and isexpressly authorized to draw up the plans or renovatebuildings up to a certain size limit, without calling onthe services of an architect. The geometra producesworking drawings, deals with building contractors,suppliers, and all the paperwork and building permits.The geometra should know the correct people at thebuilding department that make the important decisionsand all the tricks for getting around burdensomeregulations. Did I hear ‘CAO’ anyone?

Let’s make your project happen.

Michael O Bradley

‘Geometra’

Zoups on at ZoomiesCome give it a try today

Cup: $3.00Bowl: $3.75

February 1, 06 The Vashon Loop, p. 17

Loopy Laffs

Never buy a car you can’t push.Indecision is the key to flexibility.Are dog biscuits made from collie flour?All I want is a little more than I can spend!Life not only begins at forty, it begins to show.If you can’t beat them, arrange to have them beaten.I finally got my head together and my body fell apart.If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?Why do people who know the least say it the loudest?How does it change many dyslexics to take a lightbulb?

A mother was showing her son howto zip up his coat. “The secret,” she said,“is to get the left part of the zipper to fitin the other side before you try to zip itup.” The boy looked at her solemnly andasked, “Why does it have to be a secret?”

Unless you can create thewhole universe in 5 days, Thenperhaps giving “advice” to Godisn’t such a good idea.

You have to wonder about humans.

They think God is dead and Elvis is alive!

One - Liners

Never underestimatethe power of very stupidpeople in large groups.

Hypocracy: Government by HypocritesCholesterophobia: Fear of frying

If the grass is greener on the other side of thefence, you can bet the water bill is higher.

The things that come to those whowait may be the things left by those whogot there first.

—Abe Lincoln, when told it wasn’t theright time for him to run for president.

This Fall I learned something importantabout burning leaves—you have to wait untilthey fall off the trees.

Who is the only woman to appear on the cover of Time magazine10 times? The Virgin Mary

February 1, 06The Vashon Loop, p. 18

Loop Arts

Austin singer-songwriter ChipDolan will perform at 5:30 p.m. onSunday February 5 at Cafe Luna.Island musicians Noah Dolan andAndre Sapp will join Chip for thisVashon show.

Chip Dolan is currently touringthe country to celebrate the releaseof his CD, Right Now. Right Nowis his first album. You may haveseen him on Austin City Limits withTish Hinojosa, or at the Grand OldOpry.

Dolan has touredinternationally, playing keyboardsand accordion, and has recordedand performed with some of Texas’finest artists, including BruceRobison, Charlie Robison, KellyWillis, The Mavericks, TishHinojosa, Greg Trooper, ElizaGilkyson, Jimmy Lafave, SaraHickman, and Slaid Cleaves.

Chip and Noah Dolan will alsobe opening for the Austin LoungeLizards at the Tractor Tavern inSeattle on Thursday, February 2.

Singer-songwriter ChipDolan from Austin

at Cafe Luna

It’s Venice in February at BlueHeron Art Center when pianistAnn Cummings merges traditionalpiano recital with multi-mediapiano concert. Cummings wears adifferent exotic mask for eachmusical selection while playing thedramatic music of 19th CenturyRomantic composer Franz Liszt.Through spoken word and ajourney inside the music,Cummings explores love, loss andits heroic resurrection.

“I am a classical pianist whobegan developing multi-mediapresentations of my concerts back in1994. The process began with thestudy of paintings, and evolved fromthere. Working with visual elementsin classical music revealed to me anawareness of creativity that extendsbeyond music,” says Cummings. “Ifyou were to simply ask, ‘What isinside the music?’ you woulddiscover that classical music is notjust created sound, it is humanimagination. The adventures areendless.”

Cummings’ heartfelt program isRomanticism at its best. Her goal isto expose the creative thinkinginherent within classical music andexplore its relationship to thelistener. She says her concerts “areabout human consciousness, whichbeseeches us to express ourselves asindividuals and simultaneouslydiscover our relevance as a piece ofthe whole of life.”

Cummings has toured her Insidethe Music programs nationally andinternationally. Local performancesinclude the Seattle ComposersSalon, University of Washington’sConArt Series, Sherman Clay

Folk Diva Carolyn Cruso casts aspell with her lyrical hammereddulcimer playing, poetic lyrics andintricate guitar playing at CaféLuna, this Saturday, February 4, at7:30 p.m., by donation. For info call(206) 463-0777, or visitwww.cafelunavashon.com

Carolyn Cruso is an“outstanding hammered dulcimerplayer who has gained local andnational acclaim for her wonderfulrecordings and performances (TheQuarter Note, Seattle).” She isequally at home on the flute, guitaror vocals. Her dulcimer playing,which is quite adventurous, hasbeen described by reviewers andfans alike as mesmerizing andlyrical.

In recent years she has alsoemerged as a powerful andevocative songwriter. Fans havebeen delighted by what Dirty LinenMagazine, San Francisco Bay Guardianand Victory Music Review,respectively, have described as her“splendid guitar playing,”“eloquent set of pipes,” and “elegantmelodies.” Open guitar tunings andvivid lyrical images bring richtexture to the music.

At this show she will becelebrating the release of her newsolo hammered dulcimer CD,Boundless, an adventurous collectionof original pieces that push theboundaries of the instrument. Formore information about Carolynvisit her site atwww.carolyncruso.com

Elizabeth Conner at Two Wall Gallery

Vashon artist and arts advocateElizabeth Conner will create aninstallation in the Two Wall Galleryfor the month of February with anopening reception on February 3,6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Everyone is invitedto the reception and to be part of theart as it evolves throughout themonth.

In her recent work, Connerexplores how the human bodymoves through and relates toarchitectural space. She often beginsby photographically recording her physical presence in a specific place.The Two Wall Gallery exhibit will include self-referential evidence of peoplein a space looking at art about people in that very space. Conner’simprovised experiments with her body in this space may influence visitors’experience of their own presence in the gallery.

Conner is fundamentally interested in researching the many dimensionsof Vashon’s newest old gallery. All the photographic “research” elementsof the exhibit will be for sale (and inexpensive), so you will be able to takehome the parts of the gallery and the artist, to which you most relate.

Conner has a fifteen-year history as a public artist that includestemporary and permanent sculptural installations throughout the UnitedStates. We feel fortunate to exhibit Conner’s work and encourage you tojoin in this unique “performance installation” experience.

Carolyn Cruso

Cruso PlaysHammered Dulcimer

at Luna

By Nadine Meeker

Two Wall GalleryPhoto by Elizabeth Conner

Who says love isn’tdangerous?

By Janice Randall

Pianist Ann Cummings:

Lunchtime Series, COCA, andmore. She has released three CDsof Inside the Music, and is a featuredartist in 2005-2006 Touring Artsroster sponsored by King County’s4Culture. Cummings offersresidencies for public schools andmaintains an active piano and artstudio. For more information checkout insidethemusic.com.

Pianist Kelly Wyse hasdeveloped a 25-year relationshipwith the piano. A graduate ofCornish College of the Arts, Vashonresident Wyse is a musician andteacher in Seattle and Vashon. Hewill play an all-contemporaryopening set for Ann Cummings.Works will include reflective piecesby Arvo Pärt, Ravel’s romanticNight Moths, Scriabin’s Etude, op.65#2 and more. “I felt these pieceswould compliment Ann’s program.Scriabin is similar to Liszt, but withhis own vocabulary. He was amystic who blended his senses,”said Wyse.

Wyse has received numerousawards and merits. He currentlydirects music for Vashon HighSchool Theater and performs withtwo music groups in the Seattlearea: rock band, Leuko and acousticensemble Novemthree. He alsoteaches private piano lessons. OnMarch 12th, Kelly will perform atthe Asian Art Museum incollaboration with four otherpianists to commemorate the 100thyear anniversary of the firstperformance of Ravel’s Miroirs.Wyse may be reached atKelly.Wyse@gmail.com.

Cafe Luna for February 1-15Friday, 2/3 6:00-9:30 p.m. Artist Reception, Rebecca Douglas, Halloween on Vashon,photographs; Alice Larson, origami hearts, mobiles, wall hangings.Saturday, 2/4. 7:30-10 p.m. Carolyn Cruso: hammered dulcimer w/original & Celtic& Appalachian musicSunday, 2/5. 5:30-7 p.m. Chip Dolan with Noah Dolan: acoustic, melodic, folk rockThursday, 2/9 7-8:30 p.m. Open MicFriday, 2/10 7:30-10 p.m. 5:01: Island country rock groove musicSaturday, 2/11. 7:30-10 p.m. Travis Hartnett: acoustic guitar instrumentals w/looping

There will be open auditions on Saturday, February 18, at 1 p.m. atLewis Hall (behind Burton Church) for the right canine to play Annie’sdog, Sandy. Sandy is a dog of a “certain color,” according to DirectorLibbie Anthony, but gender non-specific. Sandy must be obedient onstage.There is a small cameo appearance for a second dog, small enough to beeasily picked up and carried by the dogcatcher. Yappers OK for cameo.Cast members will be present to work with dogs in auditions. Arf.

Calling all dogs: Auditions for Annie

VAA Panache Concert

Inside the Music:Who Says Love Isn’t

Dangerous?With Pianist Ann CummingsOpening set by Kelly Wyse

Saturday, February 11, 8 p.m.at the Blue Heron Art Center

Tickets: $12/$15 (IncludeComplimentary Champagne

& Hors d’oeuvres)

February 1, 06 The Vashon Loop, p. 19

Annie:The Making of a Musical

By M. L. Tuel

O n eafternoon therewas a knock atthe door.

“Hello isanyone home?

Hello?” inquired a girl’svoice.

Snores could be heardcoming from inside thecave.

“My name’s Maggieand I’m selling Kookeez.Would you like to buysome? Hello…”

“Huh? What is it?” thoughtBlackberry Bear to himself, shufflingto the door.

“Oh, hello little girl. Kookeezyou say? Maggie wasn’t it? Coolshoes! And they’re red!”

Blackberry loved red shoes.“I’m Blackberry Bear and I live

here with the Wizard. I’ll ask himfor some money for Kookeez. Hemakes these special flying powdersfor a living. I’ll just go and get him.”

Hum de dum.“Hey Wizzy, a nice little girl is

selling Kookeez. Can we get some?Please, please?”

“Oh alright Blackberry.” saidWizzy, following Blackberry back tothe front door. “Let me meet her.”

“OK. Hey Maggie, this is theWizard, Wizzy,” said Blackberry.

Maggie looked skeptical.“A wizard, huh? I don’t believe

it. If you are a real Wizard, show me

your powers. Do something. Turnme into something!”

“All right. Whatwould you like tobe?” inquired Wizzy.

“A Unicorn!”replied Maggie.

“A Unicorn.Well let’s see.”thought Wizzy.“ALA KA ZAM!”

POOF!Maggie disappeared and a

Unicorn appearedin her place.

“OK, OK. Ibelieve you,” shesaid, “now turn meback already!”

“OK, let’ss e e … ” t h o u g h tWizzy. “MAZ AKALA!”

POOF!“I’m back, but

he’s not gone!”Maggie cried. “Hum de dum,Wizzy!”

“Hmm,” Wizzy hmmed, “Letme try again, “ZAM KA ALA!”Nothing happened.

“Hey, doesn’t anyone care aboutwhat I think about this?” inquiredthe Unicorn. “I kind of like it here.”

“Yeah, Wizzy.” said Blackberry,“Why not let the Unicorn stay withus? There’s lots of room.”

“Well, alright for now.” saidWizzy. The Unicorn smiled andtook a bite of Kookee.

“I’ve got to get going. I’m off tomy dance class uptown,” saidMaggie.

“Can I come along? I love todance! Can Ratty come, too?” askedBlackberry.

“Sure, Blackberry. There’s aballet class just before my class andwe can all watch it.”

To be continued! Next time:Aloetta and the Frog Prince

Part 2: Enter Maggie

Blackberry Bearand the

Adventures ofHuckleberry Hollow

©Becky and Maggie Bumgarner© Illustrations by Maggie Bumgarner

Photos by Hawk Jones/Kotagraph

Then 4th-graders Ella McConnell,Valentina Duque, and Emma Hennessey (ina pink boa) arrive at the 2005 Oscars instyle. Photo by Lauri Hennessey

Oscar Night!Save the Date!

Oscar and the Olympics were headedfor a scheduling clash, and Oscar blinkedfirst.

The Academy of Motion Picture Artsand Sciences Thursday said the 2006edition of Hollywood’s highest honorswould be moved back by one week toSunday, March 5, to avoid a conflict withthe 2006 Winter Olympics.

So that means that the Vashon FilmSociety’s Oscar Night will be on Sunday,March 5, at the Vashon Theater. Thisannual event is a chance for famous andnot-so-famous Vashonites to put on theirmost elegant glad rags and come to theOscars. Stay tuned for more informationas the big night approaches.— Compiled from Reuters and HennesseyCommunications (Reuters in The Loop!‘Way cool!)

Kathy Bonner teachingchoreography to Maria Gilmour, whoplays the orphan “Molly”

Kathy Bonner started creatingchoreography for Annie beforeChristmas.

“I start forming dances as soonas I get the music because the longerthe cast does these steps, the soonerthey can start ignoring their feet andlet their muscle memory take over.”

“Some of the little girls have haddance, but most people in the showhave no dance background. You haveto work with people’s comfort andability because singing and dancing atthe same time is really tough.”

“I have danced since I was a littlegirl. I gave it up for a few years, thenstarted again when the Blue Heronopened, about 25 years ago, and theladies were using any round piece ofwood they could find for a barre.”

Libbie Anthony is teaching thecast their blocking. What’s thedifference between choreography andblocking?

“Blocking is telling actors whereto go, what to do, and how to saywhat they have to say.”

“It’s going great. Everyone ishappy to be there, and everyone islayering their character onto theblocking I’m giving them.”

“I had a vision last night – onelady is going to be sitting off to the

side selling apples instead of dancing,and I have another little consumptivegirl off to the side coughing duringthe ‘Hooverville’ number, and it’s OKwith both of them, even though theyboth thought they’d be dancing.

“I’m spooked, waiting for the firstshoe to drop, it’s going so well.”

Next time: You know, I’m notreally sure!

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Good thru February 2006

February 1, 06The Vashon Loop, p. 20

FarmingFencing

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Doug York( 206 ) 567-4776

Look For Island Septic Serviceon Page 30 of the white pages RR Ties

4 Grades

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Two Walk-up style folding

benches, in good shape.

$60 each.

Rex Morris 463-3009

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Excellent references

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