Cascadia Daily, June 21, 2019

by Andrew Engelson

A great summer hike near Mount St. Helens

 

Now that summer is officially here, it’s time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors in the Pacific Northwest. Want to go explore something near Mount St. Helens? If so, check out Craig Romano’s pick in his latest Get Outside! column at Cascadia Magazine: Coldwater Lake.

Created when a creek dammed up during the 1980 eruption, the lake is gorgeous, and this 9-mile hike along its shore presents opportunities to view wildflowers and wildlife, as well as a chance to experience the regeneration of forest ecology after the big blast.

It’s also got extraordinary views of the volcano. To find out more about this hike not too far from Portland or Seattle, read Craig’s full writeup here.

Are seawalls the way to protect WA coast from climate change?

Crosscut looks at a controversial new study that claims Washington will need $24 billion in seawalls to protect coastlines from rising seas because of climate change. But many say that’s a ridiculous idea, since the state has been removing seawalls for environmental damage they cause. Meanwhile, the Oregon senate still hasn’t voted on a cap-and-trade carbon emission bill because Republican legislators are literally in hiding–and governor Kate Brown has used her authority to use the state police to find legislators on the lam.

Should Portland make public transit free?

Blake Stenvick at the Portland Mercury looks at a growing movement urging metropolitan Portland to make its system of buses and light rail completely free–increasing use and helping to reduce climate impacts. Meanwhile, the city of Seattle launched a pilot program to give residents of public housing free “Orca” transit passes. And the greater Seattle Sound Transit agency showed off the first of 40 new, roomier light rail cars that will go into service next year. And Daily Hive notes that crime on Vancouver-area transit took a huge drop in the past year.

Reconciliation poles raised in Vancouver

On Canada’s Indigenous People’s Day, several “reconciliation poles” created by Squamish and Musqueam artists were raised outside the offices of the Vancouver School Board, the Georgia Straight reports. CBC has more on the ceremony, and also reports on how BC’s Teacher’s Council will now incorporate reconciliation, and more accurate classroom instruction about Indigenous cultures in its curriculum.

Is draft plan to save BC mountain caribou flawed?

Sarah Cox, writing for The Narwhal, looks in detail at British Columbia’s draft recommendations to save the province’s endangered mountain caribou–which were announced this week. Some logging contracts will be limited, but several activists fault the plan’s emphasis on culling wolves and its failure to mention recent racist backlash against First Nations in comments on the protection plans.

Portland’s hottest new bands

Willamette Week polled local music writers, musicians, and music scene insiders to come up with a list of top 10 new bands in Portland — and among the top are Karma Rivera: “A cooler, alt-pop Megan Thee Stallion,” KayelaJ: “When self-discovery and twerking become one,” and Help: “Your favorite pop band tore up its big record contract, joined an anarchist street gang and decided to write the soundtrack to the next riot.”

A personal essay by Raine Lee

At Ricepaper, read Raine Lee’s personal essay about growing up the daughter of immigrants from Taiwan in Vancouver. It’s an unflinching look at the racism she’s experienced, and also the stubborn resilience of her extended family.
““Get out of here! You’re not welcome!” Two white men whizzed by from behind me in a Ford Ranger while I was sauntering back home from the grocery store here in White Rock. My black hair blew gently in the wind, a few strands swept before my eyes. I could’ve wept like a melting snowflake, making it all the more poetic. Last Chinese New Year, I moved again, to this beautiful place where I can be, but not belong.”
Give the essay a full read here.

That’s today’s assortment of news, arts, and culture from across the Pacific Northwest. Hope you had an enjoyable solstice day, and look forward to lots of play in Cascadia’s outdoors this summer! ? –Andrew Engelson

Photo credits: mountain caribou by Wikimedia Commons user Thartmann Wiki CC BY-SA 4.0