Cheers: To brightening the community. A colorful mural is taking shape on the side of Fourth Plain Community Commons, an affordable-housing site that is under construction at Fourth Plain Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue. As described by The Columbian, the mural has “bright, multihued tones and silhouettes of adults and children dotting one of the cobalt-colored walls.”
Public art is an important aspect of a vibrant community. It not only can add color to a neighborhood but can be thought-provoking and reflect the local culture. As a prominent feature of Vancouver’s International District, the mural will catch the eye of local residents and visitors alike. While that is important, Aristotle once wrote about the larger meaning: “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things but their inward significance.”
Jeers: To a new wintry normal. Well, it might too soon call it “normal,” but April snow has fallen in the area for the second consecutive year. Early Wednesday, a light dusting could be seen in east Vancouver and the Orchards area.
On April 11, 2022, Clark County was covered in several inches of snow — the first April flurry since records have been kept in the region. This year’s weather event was not as intense, but it still is notable when snow arrives three weeks into spring. The hope is that April snow does not become an annual event. By this time of year, we are ready for flurries of warmer weather.
Cheers: To the Legislature. Lawmakers have voted to remove advisory votes from the ballot in Washington. Advisory votes use loaded language to describe tax measures approved by the Legislature and ask voters whether the tax should be “repealed” or “maintained.”
Here’s the crux: The votes are nonbinding; they carry no weight and likely have little influence on lawmakers. As Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, said: “These votes only pollute our ballots with anti-tax propaganda specifically designed to instill distrust in government — and they do it on our most fundamental sanctuary of democracy, the ballot.” If Gov. Jay Inslee signs Senate Bill 5082, the pointless votes will no longer appear on the ballot. They will not be missed.
Jeers: To “forever chemicals.” The city of Vancouver has discovered that some of its drinking water exceeds state levels for chemicals that are difficult to pronounce. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in soil, water or the human body, and three of the city’s nine wells have excessive levels.
The chemicals remain at low levels, and city officials are working to address the situation. But the long-term risk points out the reason the Legislature took steps last year to eliminate “forever chemicals” from use in household products.
Cheers: To good economic signs. In contrast to concerns about the economy, Clark County’s housing market is heating up. Sales and new listings increased in March, indicating that people are willing to risk making a move. “It’s basically the best month we’ve had in six months,” one local broker told The Columbian. “We’re still seeing listings sell in the first week.”
Increasing prices and rising interest rates have made it difficult for many to purchase a home, particularly first-time buyers. And experts say there still are more buyers than the local market can accommodate. But an increase in listings demonstrates that sellers have maintained confidence in the economy.
