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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Arts center
Dreams of a new space bring a smile As I sip my coffee at the Roasterie at Center, I contemplate the recent developments in this historic intersection. As described in a news story a few months ago, Loren Sinner’s new lumber storage space took a lot of work to get the necessary permits. What he’s building there represents his determination and courage in an uncertain economy. Looking south from LS Cedar, across the road, stands what I consider an eyesore. Unused and unmaintained and, frankly, never handsome, the old McFeed’s building will, hopefully, give way for a magnificent new center for the performing arts. I smile over my coffee as I as daydream of the joy for all the performers and audiences who will reap the benefits of this wellthought-out structure for decades to come. My wife Mary, an Island artist, and I wholeheartedly support the new center for the arts. For all the
“space wars,� the cramped stages, the sub-standard floors our young dancers have had to endure, the lack of storage and facilities, etc., etc., this new allied arts center will be a brilliant solution. Looking back and preserving our heritage is important. But looking ahead and building for the future is important, too. This project looks good to me, and I hope it gets built. — Art Hodgins
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Shelter the Flame a lovely gathering On Sunday evening, Oct. 21, as the rain stopped and the crescent moon broke through dark, retreating clouds, the first of almost 300 attendees to the Shelter the Flame marriage equality event and candlelight vigil emerged from Vashon Theatre. `Standing on the side of love during the previous hour and 15 minutes were faith leaders from Vashon Island Unitarian Fellowship, Vashon Episcopal Church, Burton Community Church, Havurat Ee Shalom,
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Vashon United Methodist Church, Vashon Lutheran Church, and Vashon Friends (Quakers). The flame of dignity and equality was kindled, sung over, and passed from speaker to speaker, including Sen. Sharon Nelson. By evening’s end, as vigil candles were distributed and lighted, an encompassing compassion was ignited and given shelter in the hearts of all those present. Today, as you read these words, the voice of the people of Washington state will have spoken either for or against the most fundamental of all human rights: the right to love, commit to and cherish the person of one’s own choosing. On Oct. 21, the hearts and souls of almost 300 hundred Islanders sang and flickered as one flame. No matter the result of yesterday’s vote, let it be known that Vashon Island is a welcoming Island — a place where human dignity and compassion come first, a sanctuary where all loving people and the relationships they forge and honor can find enduring acceptance and understanding. This country must strive to be a society defined not by those who have the most or those who love the least, but by those who
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love, are determined to always love and who vow never to cease living in the image of a loving father, mother, sister and brother. We vote with our ballots. We love with our hearts. By which measure will we choose to live? — Harmon McKendrie Arroyo, Shelter The Flame Coordinator
Intolerance hits all sides on Vashon In reading The Beachcomber’s editorial (“The politics of yard signs and marriage equality�), I found myself in complete agreement with concerns about the lack of tolerance shown when someone’s political views are marginalized, and in the case described, vandalism by the removal of signs from a yard. As was commented on last week by another reader concerning Greg Wessel’s politically onesided (humor) column, politics are something many people on the Island would like our local weekly paper to stay out of. But on
the subject of intolerance, I couldn’t agree more. I am a moderate politically. On occasion, I have favored a Republican candidate and displayed my support with car bumper stickers and signs in my yard. In the last election cycle, I had a sign stolen three times, and my car was even keyed. Scratched the entire length of the car, and right through the bumper sticker. I have also had a religious Christmas nativity scene vandalized on three occasions. Just this past week, I was told by a dear friend that having an American flag at my house shouted out that I was a Republican and wouldn’t be well thought of by many! Really? I was also told when the keying, vandalism and thefts happened, it was probably just kids or practical jokers. No, it wasn’t. It was intolerance. Just like the Rhoads-Weavers. My underlying concern is that many on Vashon, including The Beachcomber, believe that categorizing people that disagree with them
politically as unintelligent, non-thinking, uninformed, even homophobic, is fair game. This is intolerance, though those responsible would not see it as such. On any side of an issue, candidate, referendum — vandalizing or stealing someone’s sign because you don’t agree with the message, is just plain wrong. Even if you think that your ideas or positions are the only ones that should be considered “thinking.� Intolerance is still intolerance. — Andy Amstrup
This Friday’s Vashon Rotary Guest Speaker
Joyce Olson Rotary Foundation Chair Feedback Loops Friday, November 9th 11:00am The Green Ginger Restaurant email: bill@safesecuremoney.com
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Just Ask Emma Current Real Estate Issues To view this blog & make comments, visit www.vashonislandrealestate.com/blog.html
Some Quick Tips To Get Ready For Winter! (Many people have asked me to run this the first part of November every year) 1. Clean the gutters! Water can penetrate into your walls and roofing and cause serious mold problems. 2. If you haven’t done it already, have your furnace serviced and cleaned for the year. This is critical if you use a fuel like oil, propane or natural gas. This makes your furnace safer, and saves you big bucks by running more efficiently. 3. Be sure you’re ready for power outages. Battery powered or propane lamps are good, also a battery powered radio for weather news. Never use portable propane, gas or charcoal grills or other such devises in the house. 4. Clean decks and walkways now so the moss build-up won’t be too slippery. Put down non-skid strips or outdoor carpet on slick wood decks or stairs. 5. Look around your yard for objects that can get lost under a few inches of snow. You sure don’t want to step on a rake you forgot was there! 6. Have your car serviced and checked out for winter driving. Install new windshield wipers. Have ice scrapping tools in the car and keep water, a flashlight and a warm blanket in the trunk in case you get stranded. 7. Try not to use portable electric heaters in the house and if you must, unplug them when you leave home. They can cause fires. So can holiday lights and Christmas trees. Turn them off when you leave the house. 8. Be sure to have a good supply of nonperishable food and water stored for power outages. 9. Have the chimney cleaned if you use wood heat. Fireplaces and woodstoves are a major source of house fires. 10. Drain outdoor water lines and store hoses and tools.
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