Cascadia Daily, Nov. 30, 2018

by Andrew Engelson

Cascadia Magazine original:
Spokane’s growing arts scene

Spokane, Washington is changing rapidly. Its art scene is growing, and thanks to organizations like Terrain, Spark Central, and Laboratory, the Lilac City is now keeping and attracting artists: visual artists, writers, and all sorts of creative people. To learn more, read Carrie Scozzaro’s feature “Creating Spokane” online now at Cascadia Magazine. Read more here.

Major earthquake hits Anchorage, Cascadia prepares for big one

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit Anchorage, Alaska today, causing widespread damage and triggering a tsunami alert that was later rescinded. The Anchorage Daily News has updates on aftershocks and other related news. Yesterday, a small earthquake struck Fort St. John British Columbia, not far from the site of the proposed Site C dam. In related news the US Senate passed funding for an upgraded seismic sensor system in the Pacific Northwest, where a massive earthquake could happen at any time. And at Scientific American you can take a tour through Cascadia’s dangerous and beautiful subduction zone.

Vancouver empty homes tax nets $38 million in first year

According to the Globe & Mail, Vancouver’s new empty homes tax aimed at opening up vacant and unused housing generated $38 million in revenue for the city. Meanwhile, Crosscut reports that Seattle’s plan to increase density in 27 urban villages is moving forward despite opposition from NIMBY groups.

Thanks to BC pipeline, Canada failing to meet climate goals

Responding to a recent UN report that said Canada would fail to meet carbon reduction targets necessary to slow global climate change, Canada’s environment minister and Vancouver environmentalist David Suzuki spoke to CBC, in particular about BC’s Trans Mountain pipeline. Meanwhile News 1130 reports on National Energy Board hearings on the pipeline, with testimony opposing it from First Nations and US Native American tribes.

WA failing children in state’s foster care system

Northwest News Network examines a damning report issued this week about failures in Washington state’s foster care system — in which children were sent to hotels, psychiatric wards, and inadequate out-of-state facilities.

Portland miffed it’s not the most sinful city & TIMBERS!!!

Portland is proud of its weird, lascivious reputation as place with lots of strip clubs, a hot spot for non-monogamy, etc. — but according to a story in the Oregonian, a national poll ranked Portland as just the 18th most sinful city in the US, upsetting more than a few proud residents of the Rose City. Meanwhile the Portland Timbers defeated Kansas City to move on to the national MLS final. Yay! They’ll play Atlanta United on Saturday, December 8.

SFU to build new art museum

The Vancouver Sun reports that Simon Fraser University in Burnaby BC  will build a significant new art museum of 12,000 square feet, thanks to a major donation. The museum is scheduled to open in 2022. In related news, the Seattle Times reports on a new exhibit on Asia Pacific Americans in sci-fi books and film at Seattle’s Wing Luke museum.

Portland’s odd Nextdoor neighbors

Over at California Sunday Magazine, there’s a great photo essay and audio feature (including work by journalist Leah Sottile) about the odd and slightly paranoid characters on the neighborhood website Nextdoor who live in Portland. ““I saw a note on our door,” says Whitney Cooley. “It says, ‘So glad you’re moving! People who cut down that many trees do not belong in this neighborhood.’ I was a little taken aback because it had been so long since we cut the trees down.””

“Love Song for a Riverbank” by Tara Shepersky

Over at Empty Mirror, read Oregon writer Tara K. Shepersky’s essay “Love Song for a Riverbank,” which describes the Simpson Reed Grove in Northern California and is paean to a gorgeous ecosystem and a reluctant acceptance of the need for permits and regulations to preserve it.

That’s today’s selection of news, arts, and culture from across the Cascadia bioreigon. Hope your weekend is full of books, hikes, or whatever else you enjoy here in the Pac NW. –Andrew Engelson

Photo credit: map of shaking from Nov 30, 2018 earthquake near Anchorage courtesy of US Geological Survey (public domain)