Attracting EV users
Dear Editor:
We often visit the valley from Portland since our son moved to Twisp. There is a lack of EV (electric vehicle) charging stations from Wenatchee and north to the Canadian border. Hence we have to use ICE (internal combustion engine) gasoline and hybrid vehicles. A year ago we stopped by the Winthrop Town Hall to express the need for more chargers; we painted a picture of EV drivers stopping to charge for an hour meanwhile visiting and shopping the valley and the entire Cascade Loop. And by the way, when you drive north on Highway 97 into British Columbia you find almost a surfeit of chargers along provincial highways. The reply from town hall was new charging stations are very expensive.
But now your Nov. 16 issue reports more EV chargers, including high-voltage DC (fast!) chargers being installed in Twisp and Pateros by next June. These are funded through a partnership with Resilient Methow, public utilities, local governments, Methow Climate Action Plan and WSDOT. This effort is good news and an excellent example of collaboration, coordination, good public policy and service, all of which will bring additional business to the valley while lowering the largest air pollution source. For us, this makes the latter part of the 400-mile road trip more secure, assuaging “battery anxiety.” Maybe Wenatchee will follow suit.
We have suggested to our regular BnB homes to place 220V plug outlets (NEMA 14-50 as used by your clothes dryer or RV plug-in) outside on their building. An overnight charge will cost less than $4. Be the first on your block to advertise and attract EV users to stay at your rental home or business!
We will be in the Methow more often and for longer stays, visiting TwispWorks, Winthrop Mountain Sports, and the several bakeries!
Mark Merkens
Portland, Oregon
‘Nutcracker’ is superb
Dear Editor:
It was a full house at the Merc for the Sunday matinee of “The Nutcracker” at The Merc Playhouse, and my husband and I were but two of the happy theater-goers in the audience. Everything about this production is extraordinary, and as we exited after the performance, I realized that I felt gratitude and joy. If you haven’t seen it, do! I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Patti Ahlfs
Winthrop
More ‘Perspectives’
Dear Editor:
As the curators of the “Perspectives” holiday gift show at The Confluence: Art in Twisp, we were delighted and humbled by the splendor and originality of the work artists produced for the show. In keeping with the theme of the show, artists drew on their unique vantage points to produce art that’s thought-provoking, funny, surprising, imaginative and beautiful.
Visitors to the gallery can experience that art, see paintings, photography, mixed-media, and sculpture by artists they’re familiar with, and be introduced to new artists. But what people experience when they visit an art exhibit — the internal organization that makes all the art work together — also relies on contributions from people whose names aren’t on the walls.
We’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the incredible talent of the folks who work their magic behind the scenes to make Confluence exhibits so captivating and successful. These people take artwork in a tremendous variety of styles, shapes, colors, and sizes, and organize it into a balanced, coherent whole that allows each work of art to be appreciated on its own terms. They create a rhythm and energy that leads people through the exhibit. This is an art in and of itself.
For “Perspectives,” Caryl Campbell, an artist whose work is often seen at the gallery, contributed her incredible eye for balance and organization in arranging the show. She was assisted by Jennifer Molesworth.
Theresa Miller contributed her gifts for establishing a scene and a mood. Theresa spent hours on a ladder creating an archway from ordinary branches adorned with tiny lights that lends a festive flair to the exhibit and complements the art without upstaging it.
Other members of the gallery’s show committee helped by packing and unpacking art, painting and spackling, and meticulously measuring and hanging works of art. These exhibits wouldn’t be possible without these volunteers.
Perspectives is on view through Jan. 7. We hope that visitors to the gallery will appreciate the many layers of artistry necessary to create an exhibit like this.
Joanne Marracci
Marcy Stamper
Twisp
Comment on grizzlies
Dear Editor:
I would like to remind people of an important comment period that is fast approaching. Comments on the plan to restore grizzly bears to the Cascades are due Dec. 14.
The Nov. 16 issue of the Methow Valley News has an informative article about the project. Also to delve deeper into the science, the Bear Smart Society and the Vital Ground Foundation offer information as well. These organizations discuss the pros and cons of the process.
Whether you are in support of the plan or against it, it’s an important issue to comment on. Here is the link for comments: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/NCEGrizzly.
Pearl Cherrington
Twisp
