To market, to market, to buy a fat pig. Well maybe not, but the Methow Valley Farmers Market is off to a great start with new vendors selling new wares, food and crafts. Mariah Clements is selling handmade beeswax-coated food wraps as an alternative to using Saran/Cling wraps. The cotton wraps are coated with beeswax that clings around bowls or plates just like you’d use plastic wrap.
Using less plastic seems like a good idea. I recently read an article in National Geographic describing how plankton, which normally eats algae, is now accumulating microfiber-plastic into its biomass by absorbing plastic into its food stream. Scientists in the North Atlantic are catching equal parts plankton/plastic in the ocean, sometimes entangled or ingested by the plankton. Plastic is therefore infiltrating the very building blocks of the global food chain. This doesn’t seem good.
Back at the market however, you’ll find new jewelers, a new cold and hot brew coffee stand, teriyaki, pro-biotic infused waters, and even fresh greens from nearby greenhouses. But one of the best things about the spring market is running into friends and neighbors who have been cooped up all winter. It’s like we all just emerged from our first instar, we are shedding our first exoskeleton of down jackets and Gore-Tex as we wait for the sun to warm our wings before we fly into summer.
The Spring Sale at the Senior Center brought out eager thrift shoppers on Saturday as well as the April Tools! sale at the Community Center. The tool sale was the best bargain in town. Steel clamps were a steal for $10, wooden ladders for $10, $1 hand tools, and for some unknown reason a lot of vendors were selling water skis! I guess all the retired carpenters and builders who were selling their tools have hung up their water skis as well.
The Community Center is a membership-based organization and the membership drive is in full swing! Do you attend concerts or performances at the venue, use the library, attend dance, Tae Kwando, music lessons, yoga, book clubs, men’s group, pay your PUD bill in this convenient location, play basketball, roller skate, or use the public restroom? If so, you should become a member. Individual memberships are $30 per year, family memberships are $50, and on up.
This facility is a community landmark, a central hub for the valley to connect in so many ways. The building takes a lot of maintenance and care to keep its historic integrity and to be relevant and safe for today’s needs. Benefits of being member include taking pride in knowing you are part of keeping this beautiful historic place available to everyone!
Last year, the Community Center made some great improvements including repaving the parking lot and replacing windows for energy efficiency. Similarly, the center hosted its on-going Armchair Traveler series, “Dance the Night Away” party, the Christmas bazaars and concerts, and the special guest fall appearance of George Winston, who graciously donated half of his proceeds to the center. Coming soon to the Community Center is the much-awaited Trashion Show on May 4.
The Trashion Show brings me back to the issue of plastic in our food chain predicament. If this finding upsets or frightens you, come participate and learn more about how to care for our planet, use resources wisely, and take action to slow climate impacts during this year’s Earth Day celebration, the Methow March for the Climate on Friday (April 19), 4:30 p.m., beginning at TwispWorks and ending at, you guessed it, the Community Center. Speakers, educational booths, food, drinks and music will be on site.
