Letters to the Editor

Vaccination victory
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District would like to recognize the outstanding work of the Community H1N1 Task Force and the many staff and volunteers who assisted in bringing the H1N1 vaccine directly to the public schools on the peninsula. While vaccine delivery will continue in our schools until all students have been reached, at this time, every KPBSD elementary school has already been served.
This outreach has only been possible because of a community that values its greatest resource — our children. To parents and guardians who returned forms – whether for or against immunization – we thank you. To those who shared their time with school communities to make this event a positive, organized and worthwhile experience, we express our gratitude. Working side-by-side, we have achieved a very great success – and given greater meaning to the word “community.”
Naomi Walsworth
KPBSD Health Services Coordinator

Live this day like it’s your last
Recently, my friend, Dale Boline, was killed when his car hit a moose. Dale and I were good friends. We spent a lot of time talking about dreams and politics and life and nature and family and just all sorts of stuff. I am writing this letter for a couple of reasons. One, as an attempt to gain some form of closure with this sad episode in my life. And, two, to share one of life’s lessons that hit me squarely in the face.
Sometimes, we just get busy. There’s work. There’s kids. There’s school. The house … the car … the groceries. It’s simply life. But, during that time of “busy-ness,” we need to stay connected with one another. Because, you know what happens? We disconnect. We become self-involved. Life gets in the way.
There is a saying we all have heard: “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”
I’m going to carry that even further:
Be careful. It could be your last.
Take the time to make that phone call, stop by the house, be a friend. Because when you don’t, the day will come when you no longer can.
You are missed by many, Dale. Godspeed.
Kim Burrows

It takes a community to raise turkeys
What a fantastic community we live in. The huge outpouring of love either with time and/or money for this year’s Thanksgiving Basket Program was beyond all expectations. There are so many people to thank, I hope I don’t leave anyone out. You are all very important to me. K-Bay Marine Det, Kachemak Bay Rotary, the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, Catholic Women’s Guild, Homer Elks and Homer Emblem Club are the wonderful nonprofits who gave so generously. And I want each of you members of the community to know that I truly appreciate you. We received donations from as far away as Arizona and New Hampshire.
Thank you to the Homer Food Pantry for their assistance and for all the wonderful people who showed up to help with the basket-packing. It takes a whole community to do something like this and you all came through with flying colors. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and may all the blessings of the season be yours.
Fran Van Sandt
Community Chairman, Kachemak Bay Lions

Homer loves going ‘Bearfoot’
Last Thursday night, Alice’s was packed with music lovers. Bearfoot put on a great bluegrass show and the crowd was thrilled. Homer Council on the Arts would like to extend our apology to those we were unable to accommodate. And thank you to everyone who made the event such a success: the musicians, HCOA staff and board members, volunteers and sponsors.
Thank you Johnny B and The Music Box for helping with equipment and sound, Land’s End for feeding the band, Ocean Shores for housing the band and the Homer Bookstore for selling tickets. Thank you for your sponsorships: Big Timber B&B, Puffin Electric, Mako’s Water Taxi, Curves, Homer Ocean Charters, Homer Real Estate and Tech Connect. This was truly a community event, with inspiring Alaskan musicians. Let’s do it again!
Gail Edgerly and Carol Harding

Thank you to the Homer Foundation
A huge thank you once again to the Homer Foundation for their generous donation toward our utility cost emergency last season at the Kevin Bell Arena.
The purpose of this matching grant was to aid in offsetting the unexpected increase in utility expenses due to the energy rate hike experienced early this year. In 2008, a typical electric bill was $4,500 per month, while in late 2008 and early 2009, the average bill had increased to more than $6,000, thereby increasing our expenses for the year by more than $9,000.
But between the boost this grant provided and the tightening an already tightened belt, we weathered the storm. We truly appreciate the good work of Joy and the members of the Homer Foundation for our arena and our community. Thank you.
Cinda Martin
President, Homer Hockey Association

Musicians ‘band’ together
On Nov. 18, the Friendship Center got together with Pat Hagen on piano, Allan Phelps on trumpet, Joan Terrell on marimba and Chuck Buck on harmonica to rouse up a round of singing. Pat Hunter lent her beautiful voice to the many voices of Friendship Terrace residents, their families, friends – and anyone who happened to drop in for this very special hour. Many guests spoke of blessings and what they were thankful for this holiday time of year. The feeling in the room was magnetic and full of love. We sang Thanksgiving songs and fun songs, and everyone was happy. The performers did an excellent job of sharing their wonderful talents. How very lucky we are to live in this Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea. 
May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember how you got to Homer, why you love Homer and why you are still here.  
Gay Pendleton
Manager, Friendship Center
Homer Senior Citizens, Inc.

Sliding into skiing
Kachemak Ski Club would like to thank Robin Daugherty and all the crew at Homer Theatre for hosting our annual fundraiser, and showing Re:session.  Particular thanks go to the projectionist, Karin, who deftly maneuvered around some difficult spots.  And thanks to all of you who came to the show, in support of KSC and the Ohlson Mountain rope tow.  Your dollars go straight to paying a portion of our insurance policy, not the most exciting use but absolutely necessary.  And last of all, we thank the Homer Bookstore, for presale of tickets.  We very much appreciate all the support, and look forward to seeing you up on the hill this winter!
                 Nell Gustafson

Vexed by vaccines
It’s so good how millions of Americans are waking up to what is going on behind the scenes in our country and world. I’m glad so many don’t trust the vaccines. Next year, it might be the Armadillo flu and a whole new set of vaccines for the great monetary profit or possible loss to the medical/pharmaceutical industries. The big push will be on with advertising campaigns and, of course, false information. Ten years later, cancer, autism, Alzheimer’s, immune system and neurological disorders and infertility/sterility rates mysteriously skyrocket.
The following year, it may be the giraffe flu and people will be required to get inoculated or not be allowed to leave the quarantined marshal-law enforced areas unless they have a stamped “Obama Health Care” card. (A $250,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment befalls one who fails to comply with the new healthcare taxation). If you are foolish enough to do the vaccine, do a double dose.
Hooray. The “Feds” may finally, for the first time ever, be audited, as people discover that the Federal Reserve is a privately owned, for-profit, secretive banking cartel.
Also, awareness of criminal syndicate and corruption-type goings on within factions of our government is increasing. Much needs to be done besides throwing bums out. Getting Goldman/Sacks out of the treasury and executive cabinet should be fun. Good guys in Congress need to know and use their powers which are constitutionally above the executive (presidential) branch to get us out of Afghanistan. They should not allow line-item vetoes, nor permit executive secrets. Readers should know that our petition/letter asking withdrawal from Afghanistan from 20 Homer citizens to Begich, Young and Murkowski as yet has not received a response. It should be illegal for a member of Congress to sign bills they haven’t read. Also Cap and Trade won’t slow pollution, it just makes the rich richer.
Reverend Richard Olson

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