One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something. – Henry David Thoreau

June 8th is World Ocean Day, reminding us that we all need to do our part to reduce the plastic we use, and to always practice good environmental stewardship!  As boaters, the ocean is our backyard, and our playground and just like we wouldn’t want to see plastic bottles and trash while hiking in the woods, we don’t want to have it in our waters, either.

Try to get out that weekend and join an event, or go solo, and make a commitment to reduce, reuse, and recycle!  Check out these websites for more helpful ideas…

World Ocean Day event ideas

The Starfish Parable:  One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one.

Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, “I’m saving these starfish, Sir”.

The old man chuckled aloud, “Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?”

The boy picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man, said, “I made a difference to that one!”

There will be a Sound Transit light rail open house in Ballard on February 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Leif Erikson Lodge, 2245 NW 57th. There will be an opportunity to obtain information, provide input and comment. More information is online at:  https://wsblink.participate.online// The final comment date is March 5, 2018. You can also email comments to wsblink@soundtransit.org.

We’re reminding everyone that it is important to attend if you have opinions on the current design.  It is based on an elevated track along 15th after crossing the Ship Canal on a lift bridge.  An elevated station  similar to what is being built at Northgate is intended for the vicinity of Market Street.  Bring those opinions.  Decisions now will influence the character of Ballard for the next century.

The beach at Golden Gardens Park was filled with people on Saturday to watch the Argosy Christmas ship. There were bonfires in the fire pits, children running along the shoreline, and lots of hot beverages. At sunset, against a crimson sky of broken clouds, the Argosy ship was greeted by lighted boats from Shilshole Bay Marina. The choir’s singing was broadcasted on mega-speakers for twenty minutes. I think this event is a jewel of Seattle’s holiday celebrations.