Letters – July 28

How about a new city logo?
A number of years ago, I suggested the city logo be changed to three scrolls representing a petition, an environmental impact statement and a feasibility study. I now find that a fourth scroll should be added representing a 501(C)3 authorization.
Since the city seems to shun real economic development and lays out the red carpet for nonprofits — of which we have a super saturation — perhaps we should consider renaming Homer 501(c)3ville.
Roy E. Hoyt, Jr.

Voices that need to be heard
I am wondering how a person involved in a community event can take it upon himself to announce and acknowledge groups of participants while appearing to ignore only one: The PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) float in the July Fourth parade. Isn’t this particular holiday all about liberty and equality for all?
I suggest the microphone be passed along to someone who is able to serve all without bias.
Rachel Bilbo

HCOA thanks AASB and ICE
Last spring, Maddie Bowen gifted friends and family with a piano recital for her 16th birthday party, held in the Homer Council on the Arts Gallery. The experience was so satisfying, she came to me the next day wanting to help organize a program that will allow young musicians to perform in the gallery one Sunday afternoon each month.
“We are too young to perform in bars, but there are many of us who want to perform,” Maddie said. 

Her initiative and desire catalyzed a process that is now supported by a grant from the Association of Alaska State School Boards and the Alaska Initiative for Community Engagement. This grant supports projects that encourage youth and adults to work together to build healthy relationships in a healthy environment creating “concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people.” 
Starting in September, a group of students (ages 13-18) coordinated by John Bushell and Maddie Bowen, will begin an eighth-month journey together with adult mentors to develop performance skills as musicians. Each student will perform in the HCOA Gallery, as well as in the community. They will be guided, supported and critiqued by a group of adult mentors and peers, learning how to receive and give constructive feedback. And each student will join the peer/adult support group for the performances and feedback sessions of their peers. Applications to join this journey are due Sept. 10, and can be downloaded from the HCOA website or picked up at the office.
Homer Council on the Arts thanks the Alaska Association of School Boards and the Alaska Initiative for Community Engagement for their support, allowing us to assist in the development of our youth through music. For more information, visit www.homerart.org
Gail Edgerly
Executive director
Homer Council on the Arts

Doing it for the students
It was another remarkable night in our community when 30 professionals volunteered their time to provide mandatory physical exams for high school students. In just over two hours, we were able to provide low-cost exams for 88 students (an event record) and raise $880 for the Homer High School Booster Club.
Big thanks to the many who volunteered their time for this amazing event. Special thanks to the physical therapists, nurses, CNAs and administrative staff from South Peninsula Hospital for volunteering their professional time and support. Thanks also to Cherish McCallum for her help at the event.
And kudos to the seven providers who volunteered their time to provide the exams: Bill Bell, MD; Rene Alvarez, MD; Margit Sheinmel, DO; Heather Tonga, PA; Carol Klamser, DNP; Gayle Claus, FNP; and Brad Mangum, Student FNP.
What a great team … and a great service for the community. Here’s to a great 2010-11 athletic season.
Derotha Ferraro and Torrie Morrison
Event coordinators

Thanks from Homer Senior friends
A huge thank you to Homer Senior Citizens, Inc. for sponsoring Friendship Center Adult Day Services’ anniversary celebration. And, thank you Homer Theatre Manager Robin Dougherty for the use of Homer Theatre and for having your concession stand open to our audience. Grandma’s Hope Notes were wonderful, and we were pleased and honored to have them as our main feature. They sound better and are more professional every time we hear them.
Thank you Homer Senior Citizens, Inc. We at Friendship Center appreciate your support of our efforts to provide respite for caregivers and have a place where seniors can come and spend the day having fun, relaxing and enjoying new friendships.
Mary Jo Gates, assistant manager
Friendship Center Adult Day Services 

Scholarships forge the future
I would like to thank all those who contributed to and/or served on the committee for the Aleutian Harvester Memorial Scholarship for selecting me as recipient of this prestigious award. I will use the money toward tuition expenses at Pacific Lutheran University next year.
There, I hope to learn all that I can before making a career decision. My goal is to have a positive influence on the people around me through my job, and it’s entirely possible that could end up in some form of maritime-related profession.
No matter what, my journey as a commercial fisherman in the Aleutians will stay close to my heart.
And, thank you to the Homer Ministerial Association and everyone else who contributed to the Ken Fisher Memorial Scholarship. It is a tremendous blessing to have been chosen for this honor. I promise to use the money for the purpose of seeking to serve God with my life. I plan to obtain a college education and discover a career in which I can best use my gifts to glorify God and be a blessing to others.
Thank you for believing in me and supporting me in my efforts to run the race with perseverance.
Peter Hendrickson

Supporting the Kilcher homestead games
On behalf of the Kilcher Family and Kilcher Living Museum Board, I would like to thank the following local businesses for supporting our fund-raising auction through their generous donations: A & M Fabrics, Alaska Wild Berry Products, Crabbies, Don Jose’s, Eagle Eye, Homer Bookstore, Homer’s Jeans, Homer Theatre, Legends Salon, Manana Print, Redden Marine, SBS, Tech Connect, Ulmer’s and Young’s Restaurant.
We also thank the numerous volunteers who made the games a success.
Christine Blanco, caretaker
Kilcher Homestead Living Museum

‘Heartfelt’ thanks for healthy program
Homer High School athletic department and coaches extend a huge and heartfelt “thank you” to the staff at South Peninsula Hospital for volunteering their time and energy for our sports physical night. Derotha Ferraro organized the entire program, and we would love to let her know how much that was appreciated. Everything ran smoothly, and our athletes are now ready and excited to begin their new seasons.
Thank you so much.
Pam Newton, 
Homer High School AD

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