H1N1 vaccine on its way
The state of Alaska has been authorized by the federal government to order its first shipment of H1N1 vaccine. The state was allocated 4,200 doses of nasal spray vaccine and has placed an order for the entire amount. The nasal spray vaccine is expected to arrive at the state’s distribution center in Anchorage by early [...]
Hoka Hey – ‘It’s a good day to die’
They didn’t rumble into town on their Harley Davidsons, but Beth Durham and Annie Malloy – organizers of next summer’s Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge – made quite an impression on a five-day scouting trip to Homer last week.
They even managed to convince members of the Homer City Council – some of whom had strong reservations about the event a month ago – to unanimously pass a resolution in support of their efforts.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people and we’ve really gotten a warm welcome from the general public already,” said Malloy, who will be handling operations at the Homer finish line.
The beginning of a beautiful friendship
Twice a year, the Grauer Preparatory School of San Diego picks an “expedition” to go on. It’s a chance to learn from another culture or build someone a house.
This time, of all the places in the world they could have gone, the Grauer School picked the village of Nanwalek. The school decided on the remote Alaska village after learning about how young people in Nanwalek have a special way of interacting with their elders.
“We’re working hard to find ways to incorporate elders into our studies, but it’s not easy because they are isolated from us in our area,” Stuart Grauer, founder of the Grauer School, told people gathered at the Robert Kvasnikoff Community Center in Nanwalek Thursday. “For us, elders are here and young people are there. We’re trying to find ways to incorporate our elders, but it is not easy.”
‘Grocery tax’ won’t stop most budget cuts, officials say
When Homer voters go to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of Proposition 1 – the seasonal levy of a “grocery tax” from Sept. 1 through May 31 each year – some may do so thinking a “yes” vote would mean reinstatement of $1.3 million in proposed budget cuts to city services and nonprofit agencies.
Not so fast, warned members of the Homer City Council at their Sept. 28 meeting.
Even if Prop 1 passes, only half of the 3 percent sales tax would go into the city’s general fund and be available to plug holes in the budget. The rest would split evenly between the water and sewer fund and a dedicated fund for roads and trails.
For the Record – Sept. 30
The following records are cases and records filed in court. Individuals are innocent until proven guilty, and copies of the records are publicly available.
Judgment
Paul Ernest Holmberg, 51, driving under the influence, Guilty.
Misdemeanor
Richard W. Gibson, 22, assault in the fourth degree, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident.
Mihael Mike Polushkin, 23, driving [...]
Police Report – Sept. 30
Homer Volunteer Fire Department responded to 11 emergency medical calls for the week of Sept 21-27.
Kachemak Emergency Services Area responded to one fire call and one medical call for the week of Sept. 21-27.
Traffic
On Sept. 22, a caller reported a vehicle cutting across a parking lot to gain access to an adjacent street. An officer [...]
Winery harnesses power of wind
The owners of Bear Creek Winery and Lodging are some of the first in town to install a wind system, hoping to generate enough electricity to operate equipment in the winery – including keeping the building warm enough to allow the wine to ferment.
Dorothy and Bill Fry, who established Bear Creek five years ago, set up a 70-foot wind tower at the winery on Friday. Installed by Alaska Wind Industries, the turbine has already generated 12.4 kilowatts. That’s enough to produce 400 kilowatts per month; enough to supply a small house, approximately 900 square feet.
FYI – Sept. 30
Refuge welcomes new manager Delehanty
Steve Delehanty is the new manager at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, based out of the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center here in Homer. Delehanty has spent 23 years working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service throughout the country, but this is his first posting in Alaska.
On his first [...]
Understanding the ‘regurgitation’ clause
Go ahead and mark your calendars now, because I saw this one coming for miles. Bear with me through a few paragraphs of rambling, and I promise it will all make sense in the end.
Trust me.
So, during one of my many cruises down the Homer Spit in recent weeks, I had a bit of an epiphany. (I also had a strange craving for chocolate-flavored Malt-O-Meal, but that’s a different story.)
Giving our community a shot toward health
As a community, we really seem to pride ourselves in the many wonderful things about Homer. We like that we take care of each other during times of need and pat ourselves on the back for stepping up to support those less fortunate during times of strife and crisis.
After all, we don’t really need a grocery tax to adequately provide services for our fellow citizens, do we? We are rich in compassion, don’t mind sharing and have a genuine sense of community. We care about each other. Isn’t that all we really need to make it in the world today?
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