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Seattle car trips decline as transit climbs
The Seattle Times reports that unlike the situation in most US cities, transit use is growing rapidly in Seattle. The latest data show that 75 percent of commuters to downtown now use a mode other than single user car trip, whether it’s bike, walk, transit or ride-share–which is up from a rate of 65 percent in 2010.
Day after Florida school shooting, OR passes gun ownership restrictions
Willamette Week reports on an emotional debate in the Oregon House of Representatives one day after a Florida school shooting took the lives of 17 students. The House eventually passed a bill to end the “boyfriend loophole.” OR currently restricts gun ownership for those convicted of domestic violence, but the law had previously only applied to legal spouses.
Victoria’s sewage serving a cocktail of chemicals to marine life
Victoria, BC, which won’t have a fully operational sewage treatment facility until 2020, has been serving up a toxic cocktail of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and antibiotics to marine life in the Salish Sea, CBC reports. Studies showed traces of triclosan and ciprofloxacin in mussels not far from Victoria’s sewer outflows.
Seaweed and Seagrass help prevent effects of ocean acidification
A story at Hakai magazine highlights a new study of tide pools from Oregon to southern California that suggests areas with higher concentrations of seaweed and seagrass can help prevent the negative effects of ocean acidification. Biologists found that shell production was better among sea snails, oysters, and mussels in tide pools with abundant seaweed.
Portland’s Willy Vlautin on dreams of being better than you are
Portland musician and writer Willy Vlautin has a new novel, Don’t Skip Out on Me, and he writes about the inspiration behind that book in an original essay at Powell’s Books. He’s looked for heroes all his life, and maybe finds them in this book, but maybe not: “…a novel is tricky thing. You think you control the world, you think you’re the king, but the characters take over — meaning your real heart takes over.”
Vancouver writer Stanley Coren’s lifelong fascination with dogs
In an interview with poet Rachel Rose at BC Booklook, author Stanley Coren talks about his long career, which has included writing about psychology, left-handedness, and humans’ intricate relationship with dogs. It’s a fun, free-flowing interview about presidential canines, being named to the Royal Society of Canada, and a bourbon-drinking boxer.
That’s all the news and culture from Cascadia today. Stay warm during the incoming Arctic blast, and have a lovely weekend! ❄ –Andrew Engelson
Photo credits: tidepool at Yaquina Head by Bureau of Land Management