EMS Levy Approacheth!

Every six years we get to vote on the EMS Levy. Basically, this funds a big chunk of the Spokane Fire Department - about 90 firefighters or almost a third of us. Spokane has 14 stations. Without this funding, more than likely, 5 or more would be shut down. That's a lot.

Right now, compared to other Washington cities, our fire department responds on more calls with less firefighters for less money. I think the taxpayer (me included) is well-served by our fire department. Maintaining the EMS levy retains the same level of service for the same amount of money.

I hope you vote YES, if you live in the city. Ballots will be going out the beginning of April. We will need 60% to pass. Thanks. If you want to know more, here is a website.

Stocking Manito Pond - A Family Get's Its Kicks!

While running this morning, I noticed people sitting on benches smiling and pointing at Manito Pond. I looked over and saw this family. They were booting fish into the pond. I think they were bullheads (The fish. I don't know who the family was). I might be thinking that because I remember when all the bullheads were poisoned out of the pond some years back. Maybe they were trout from the Big Horn Show.

It was an interesting technique, kicking them into the pond. Babe Winkleman should take note. Pretty sad.

A lot of thought and planning goes into managing our parks. Rogue stocking by citizens is not part of this management. In other words, we spend a lot of money and effort to keep this pond less shitty and scummy. Remember the "Don't Feed the Ducks Policy." You can see they have the bread ready for that one too.

It happened pretty fast. They had been at it a while when I arrived on the scene of admiring onlookers. When I got there they still had 10 fish or so when they made the final kick or two that sent the fish into the pond. Looking at the little kid, he was pretty close to going in too.

Rabbitron Interview

My friend and neighbor Phyllis Silver does an excellent interview with my friend Tracy Martin. Tracy is a rabbit advocate and is the founder of Rabbitron. Listen to it here.

Don't buy your kids rabbits for Easter. If you want a pet rabbit, talk to Tracy and she will help you adopt one. Tracy and her husband Max are the best!

An industrial response to Dr. Bronner

This has been on our shelves at work for quite a few years. Never really noticed it until the other day and it reminded me of Dr. Bronner's castile soap. Yes. It is a slow news day at Spokanarama HQ.

Still, I think back to the copy writing days and think this would have been a lot of fun to have in the portfolio.

Bonus - a nice picture of Dr. Bronner:

Wow. Flowers. Actually a lot of flowers!

I know we are setting ourselves up for the big spring snowstorm, but the flowers are calling!

HIgh Drive on brink of eruption.

No. Not really. A caravan of white trucks were parked on the trail. They reminded me of the truck operating the robot pipe inspector this summer. Maybe it's the same bunch. All I know is I had to run through the steam. I held my breath. The smell of tainted varnish and used Juicy Fruit clung tenaciously to my clothing long after I crossed the plume. I cough as I type.