Letters – Oct. 14

Roadside bear-kill equals endangerment
Those two hunters and those two troopers ought to all face serious charges. Had that bear been wounded and plowed into that crowd of people, what would the results have been? Had a bullet bounced off a rock and killed one of those onlookers, what would have been the trooper response? An accident? These are four reasons I think about moving from this state for good.
Bob Folse

Go see a nurse
Today I went to Homer Public Health Clinic to discuss my vaccination needs. The professional staff behind the desk gave me a printed copy of my vaccinations over the last 10 years. Then, off I went for a “sit-down” with a public health nurse. She answered my questions and I wrote some notes. When I was done, I had a personal vaccination schedule that was right for me. And what did this service cost? Only the small charge for a vaccination. (Seniors can pay with Medicare, children under 18 are free and fees can be waived at your request). I thought when I left, why would anyone want to get advice on vaccinations from a neighbor, or someone pushing a grocery cart when you can visit with a real, live public health nurse who is an RN? Someone with a college-designated BSN degree, all for the cost of a shot. Check out the Alaska State Department of Public Health Clinic in your area. Try it, you’ll like it.
Lee Mayhan
Public Health Volunteer

Mariners should hold heads high
Just in case you had not heard the score, the SoHi Stars beat the Homer Mariner football team by a score of 44 to 20. Don’t let the score deceive you though. The game was, by far, closer than the score would lead you to believe.
The Mariners drew first blood, which stunned the So Hi fans. The Stars quickly tied the score, but the Mariners Midget Mafia quickly proved that they came to play and stuffed the ball right back in the Stars’ faces by scoring and once again taking the lead. The crowd that drove to Anchorage to support the Mariners seemed to be rowdier and far louder than the So Hi crowd, and I’m pretty sure we out numbered them. Our Mariners forced the Stars to play for their playoff lives. There were comments from the field staff about the Mariners being the nicest, most polite and courteous players they ever remembered having there. The best thing about this season was the Mariner football team made history this year. No other team took it this far and these young men should be very proud for this accomplishment. I know I am very proud of them.
Hold your heads high boys, this is a great team.
Phil Celtic

Hospital takes off with new wing
On Sunday, the ribbon was cut on the new patient wing at South Peninsula Hospital. Patient care is now being provided in 18 new private rooms overlooking Kachemak Bay, and medical evacuations and transports are happening from the hospital’s rooftop helistop. Sincere appreciation goes out to the many people who made this wing possible. For those who haven’t seen it yet, I’m happy to give you a quick tour. Just give me a call at 235-0397.
Now, renovation begins on the “old” hospital, as we expand the surgery department, relocate the birthing center, laboratory and pharmacy and construct an addition for the new MRI unit.
This work should be completed by April 2010. However, until then, you will see new traffic patterns and routes once you’re inside the hospital to accommodate for the construction. Watch for arrows and signs to direct you, and don’t hesitate to ask staff for help. And please remember that you must check in at the reception desk at the main entrance (upper level, east end) for all patient services except rehabilitation.
Allowing extra time for your visits to the hospital during this time is important since it may take a little longer to get to your final destination.
Derotha Ferraro
Public Relations
South Peninsula Hospital

It’s time to help
It is that time of year again. (How time flies. It seems like I only wrote these words a few days ago.) However, it is that time again when we must start thinking about those less fortunate and the Thanksgiving Basket program. I know how tough times are right now for everyone, so I am asking that each of you think about giving a small donation this year. Maybe, if we all chip in, we will make that difference in someone’s life. For those of you in need, the applications will be available the first part of November. I will let you know where they are going to be as soon as I can.
Thanks for all you do for our community.
Fran Van Sandt
Community Service Chairman

Fresh food makes for healthy starts
Part of our mission at Homer Head Start is to provide healthy food for the growing bodies and minds of our community’s young children. What could be healthier than fish from Kachemak Bay? Thanks to Nancy Hillstrand and Coal Point Seafoods for generously processing halibut so we can continue our tradition of serving local seafood. We are fortunate to be in a community that supports Early Childhood Education.
Terri Mach
Teacher/Director

Donning the ‘Clothing of Love’
I would like to extend my belated, but very heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped and made possible “The Clothing of Love” fashion show on Sept. 27. This collaboration, produced by Bunnell St. Gallery, hosted by the Homer Family Theater and dressing space generously shared by 2-2 Tango made for a fun evening of Homer couture. The show included bridal and party wear by six local designers and was a preview of a larger show the following weekend at the Sullivan Arena’s “Make it Alaskan” festival. What a wonderful treat for our local designers to share their fashions here and see them walk. Thanks to the beautiful local models, the theatre worked as a great venue with the ability to use the compliment of music, as well as beautiful backdrop photography by Michael Walsh and Asia Freeman.
Pier One Theatre provided expert lighting and the theatre staff provided technical help. Thank you so much Sally, Jane and all the terrific models and guests, the amazing designers – AnneMargret, Amanda, Ilene, Lynne, Susan and everyone else. What a blessing to live in this community where dreams do come true. Valentino has nothing on you!
Kari
The Fringe

Seniors celebrate chamber mixer
The Senior Center Inc. and Friendship Center would like to thank the Homer Chamber of Commerce and the community for supporting our chamber mixer held at the Friendship Center. The entertainment was superb, with the Sea Side Singers’ Pat Hagen leading us through an old-fashioned sing along, and Mary Jo Gates doing her rendition of “The Fuller Brush Man, Sleeping Beauty and The Ugly Old Itch.” The Homer Seniors Center’s kitchen crew went above and beyond the call of duty and presented us with a fantastic gourmet of finger food delights. More than 60 people attended this two-hour event and went away with a happy feeling, while learning what the Friendship Center is and why it is so important in this community. Not only was the staff friendly, but the center itself was warm and inviting. Seven door prizes were handed out, and the quilt was won by B.J. and Charlie Michon. Thanks, too, for the members of the senior center board who took time out of their busy lives to attend this special evening. This was an especially exciting time for the Friendship Center, National Adult Day Services Association Week, and for the very first time, we are members of this group and thus have a connection with other adult day service programs across the United States. It is indeed an honor and a privilege to assist with a wonderful staff, clients, families, other departments and community in caring for this very important population.
Gay Pendleton
Friendship Center Program Manager

Get U.S. Military out now
I wish to thank the 20-some people who took the time in the rain to come to the Oct. 7 peace rally and sign the following petition to be sent to the Alaska Congressional Delegation of Murkowski, Young and Begich:
“Whereas the true purpose of our Middle East occupation is for oil, oil pipelines and CIA opium under the guise of bringing the inhabitants democracy and ridding us of terrorism. We just need to kill more than 1,300,000 of their innocent civilians, women and children and impose on them marshal law to bring them this democracy (and disperse 340 tons of highly radioactive depleted uranium over their land). By doing so, we ourselves become the terrorists, and breed world hatred against our nation that may last for generations. Whereas taxpayers pay trillions to fund this never-ending war, it profits not those taxpayers, but the war profiteers, the military machine, big oil, and bankers. It is putting our country in great debt. Whereas humanitarian and rebuilding efforts would be a more effective tool in diplomacy than trying to bomb them into submission. And that main reasons given for entering this war were lies. In the last election, we voted for change. Now we are demanding it. We, the undersigned, hereby ask that you do all within your power to remove all U.S. military forces from Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Pakistan immediately.”
Richard Olson

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