Cascadia Daily, Sept 5, 2019

by Andrew Engelson

Polyamory in the Pacific Northwest

This coming weekend, you should take time to read Karin Jones’ fantastic feature, “Polyamory in the Pacific Northwest,” now online at Cascadia Magazine.

A growing number of couples and individuals are choosing polyamory and consensual non-mongamy in places like Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver–and Karin talks to a wide variety of them to honestly assess the benefits and difficulties of this relationship choice.

Among those you’ll hear from is Charyn Pfeuffer, who practices consensual non-monogamy and writes about relationships. Pfeuffer observes that in Seattle, although a growing number of people are choosing non-monogamy, the number of people practicing it is still relatively small, “so you tend to run into them again and again. “It’s important to stay friends with your exes!” she advises.”

Karin’s article offers a number of resources for more information, including the PNW Polyamory Facebook group, VanPoly, and various Meetup polyamory groups.

We’re very proud to publish this detailed and fascinating story, and you should take some time this weekend to read it here.

And if you appreciate great journalism like this on issues that matter in the Pacific Northwest, please help us continue to publish by making a contribution to Cascadia Magazine at our donate page. Thanks!

An evening of words + ideas Friday, Sept. 13

This is going to be a fascinating evening of readings you won’t want to miss. And Seattle public radio station KUOW will be there, recording the event for its Speakers Forum show!  Find out more here, or RSVP at our Facebook event page.

Oregon rep calls for increased federal effort on housing

Oregon congressional representative Earl Blumenthaler today called for an increase in US federal support to address the west coast housing crisis, calling for quadrupling capital funds for affordable housing and doubling assistance to fight homelessness. Meanwhile, Canada has been spending $13 billion on housing since 2017, the Star reports, though some think it’s still not enough to have an impact in British Columbia. And Dan Fumano at the Vancouver Sun looks at how affordable co-op housing is at risk in Vancouver.

Seattle schools exclude students without vaccines, private schools uncertain

KUOW reports on how recent outbreaks of measles in WA and OR have changed the outlook on vaccines: Seattle public schools are are adamant about not admitting students without vaccines such as MMR, while a variety of private schools with high rates of non-vaccinated students struggle with how to address the issue.

“Curing Spokane” video stirs debate on homeless

Samanthan Wohlfeil at the Inlander looks at the controversy stirred up by a video called “Curing Spokane,” funded by a property developer, that suggests the homeless crisis in Spokane is out of control and that arresting the homeless and building more jails is the answer. Boise, Idaho recently made it illegal to sleep outside, and the law is facing legal challenges.

Why are dungeness crabs dying on the Oregon coast?

Dungeness crabs are washing up dead in high numbers on the Oregon coast, Eugeine Weekly reports, and biologists are looking into what’s behind the die-off. Biologists theorize that hypoxia–low levels of oxygen in sea water–might be to blame.

People between cultures highlighted in Vancouver Fringe Festival

The Georgia Straight previews Vancouver’s Fringe Festival, in which the mix of poetry, theater, and spoken word includes many voices of artists of mixed ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. Says one biracial playwright: “When I started writing this show, I felt very uncertain what community I belong to. I was not sure where I fit in.” The festival runs from Sept 5-15, more info and tickets are here.

“Polished,” poetry by Jeanette Vo

At Ricepaper, you’ll want to read “Polished,” by Jeanette Vo, who’s from Richmond, British Columbia. It’s an empathetic look at the life of an immigrant who paints women’s nails for a living:
“My manicurist tells me
she left her country because she sought a better life.
Now she makes people pretty for a living.”
Read the full poem here.

That’s this evening’s round-up of news, environmental reporting and arts from across the Pacific Northwest. I’ll be playing hooky tomorrow taking a hike during the best month for getting outdoors in Cascadia– your newsletter will return on Monday. Enjoy your weekend. –Andrew Engelson

Photo credit: dungeness crab by NOAA (public domain)