Cheers: To Hazel Stein. Having lived in Vancouver for 55 years, Stein is creating a legacy of civic improvement. The 99-year-old is donating land adjacent to tiny Tanglewood Park in northeast Vancouver and is giving the city the right of first refusal when an additional half-acre goes on the market. With the expected purchase of another adjacent plot, the city will expand the area to nearly 3.5 acres, turning it from an out-of-the-way enclave into a full-service park.
“I can’t imagine anyone not making a park out of this area,” Stein said. “I just hope it will be a relaxing place for people to come.” In exchange, the park will be renamed George and Hazel Stein Neighborhood Park — a worthy acknowledgement of a most generous gift.
Jeers: To driving in Washington. It’s likely that drivers in all parts of the country lament their local conditions, but motorists in this state have good reason to do so. Carinsurance.com has ranked Washington 42nd among the states in terms of cost and convenience for motorists.
Using data from public and private agencies, the study found that: 67 percent of roads in Washington are deemed “poor or mediocre”; 26 percent of bridges are considered “structurally deficient”; and the estimated percentage of uninsured drivers on the road is 16.1 percent. In addition to making driving difficult, poor roads also lead to more expensive car repairs in Washington.
Cheers: To honoring those who served. A local volunteer group is working to create a memorial to local troops who were killed in the Vietnam War. Construction is expected to start within two to three weeks for the tribute on Vancouver’s Veterans Affairs campus, and several local businesses have donated labor and materials.
The memorial will include bronze plaques with the names of 58 local men who were killed or are missing in action. And it will serve as a reminder of the sacrifice made by thousands on the behalf of their country.
Jeers: To snails. Sure, the slippery, shelled creatures probably serve some beneficial purpose, but for gardeners they are nothing but trouble — and the Northwest is inundated with them. Scientists say most of the snails that are now familiar in the Western United States are not native to the region, but they have made themselves at home. A recent article by The (Everett) Herald noted that California spends $8 million to $10 million a year to control and suppress snail invasions.
While detailing the invasive species, the article did produce a couple of cheer-worthy items: A Seattle author named David George Gordon has written a book titled “The Secret World of Slugs and Snails: Life in the Slow Lane,” and a headline in The Columbian about snails read, “The slowest invasion.” Well, if we can’t beat snails, at least we can get a chuckle at their expense.
Cheers: To living in a desirable area. Well, that’s one way to look at Clark County’s rapid growth. According to numbers released Thursday, the county’s population grew by about 10,000 from April 2015 to April 2016 — and most of that was from newcomers rather than births.
Many people — especially those sitting in traffic — might lament the booming population. But allow us to put a positive spin on the situation and note that people are moving to Clark County because it is a wonderful place to live, has a strong economy, and is filled with delightful people. Why else would they want to move here? So, for now, we shall embrace the economic and cultural benefits of growth, even as we curse the traffic and worry about a shortage of places to put all these people.
