Cheers: To bands and floats. For more than 100 years, the Grand Floral Parade has been the centerpiece of the civic celebration that is Portland’s Rose Festival, and this year’s cavalcade begins at 10 a.m. today. Some words of warning: If you are attending the parade, prepare for rain; if you are not attending, avoid the traffic and road closures in downtown Portland and the inner Northeast side of the city until midafternoon.
Of note in this year’s event will be the presence of a float from the city of Battle Ground, continuing a tradition that began in 1955. For a while, it looked as if the city would not participate this year, but a late influx of volunteers arrived to ensure the tradition would continue, albeit with a smaller float than usual. Each June, the Grand Floral Parade reinforces the axiom that everybody loves a parade.
Jeers: To trade wars. The impact of President Trump’s tariffs upon Mexico and other countries is about to be felt in Washington. Mexico has announced a retaliatory 20 percent tariff upon apples from the United States. Considering that Washington is the nation’s top apple-producing state and that Mexico is the No. 1 foreign market for our apples, this has raised some concern.
The last time Mexico placed a tariff upon U.S. apples, it cost Washington growers about $44 million, according to the Washington Apple Commission. Experts say the impact of the current trade war will depend upon its duration, but it is safe to say that the battle will not be good for growers in this state.
Cheers: To transportation access. C-Tran reports that more than 2,800 students are taking advantage of its Youth Opportunity Pass, which provides free bus access to students. That represents a sharp increase in the year since the program was expanded to all students, and pass-holders took 20,424 C-Tran trips during April.
The program, which was championed by Vancouver City Councilor Bart Hansen, also provides free access to Marshall and Firstenburg community centers. Providing transportation to activities or libraries or retailers or employers for students who otherwise might not have it is a valuable service that enhances quality of life throughout the community.
Jeers: To vandals. U.S. Forest Service officials report an increase in graffiti inside Ape Cave at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in recent years. The 2.5-mile lava tube is a treasured part of the Mount St. Helens area, drawing an estimated 150,000 unguided hikers during the summer season alone, and officials are struggling to devise a way to remove the graffiti without damaging the ecosystem.
“It’s the issue of being open 24 hours a day and us not being able to staff it constantly,” official Chelsea Muise said. “Gating the cave would prevent most of this from happening, it not all of it.” It’s also the issue of a small number of people being callous and selfish in resorting to vandalism. Jeers go to all vandals, especially those who damage Ape Cave.
Cheers: To generosity. Congratulations and thanks are in order for Al and Sandee Kirkwood, honored this week by the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington as 2018 Philanthropists of the Year. Al Kirkwood was an executive at Kiewit construction and later started Big Al’s bowling centers. The family has used their success to benefit endeavors that enhance the community.
Clark County has been blessed over the years with numerous benefactors, as demonstrated by projects that have names such as Propstra, Firstenburg and Lynch on them. We hope that future generations follow their examples.