The Homer Tribune :: Homer, Alaska

The Weekender: What's Happening This Weekend in Homer?

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

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OPINION

• Editorial

• Letters to the Editor

• Bay View Column

Bike courtesy called for
Maybe this happened to you. You’re walking down the sidewalk, you’re with a loved one, pushing a stroller, perhaps you’re taking your friendly, but easily excitable canine companion for an evening walkabout, when you are nearly blind-sided by a blur on two wheels. Now you’re nervous, uneasy. Constantly checking over your shoulder for more reckless hooligan bikers. Why wouldn’t they slow down? Perhaps you’ve tried to pull out of your East End home or business only to have a biker cut you off from the road. Why wouldn’t they stop?
The answer to these questions and many equally frustrating and dangerous situations is that bikes are not made for sidewalks. In this state and most every other one, they are legally vehicles, subject to almost the same rules of the road as your standard 4x4 pickup. In fact, its illegal to ride on sidewalks, for good reason too. Granted that our bike path is a “bike path.” It’s really just a glorified sidewalk.
Last week alone (Aug. 3 and 4) there were two calls made to 911 about wrecks involving a motor vehicle and a bicyclist. Share our roads, please. Also, for a safer and smarter use of our tax dollars, sign the petition to only widen E. End Rd. out to McNeil canyon, as opposed to inching this ridiculous footpath any further.
Your friendly roadside biker,
Chase Warren

Music scene develops for all ages
This is gratitude to everyone who helped make the Yurt Village Music Festival happen. Volunteers, musicians, dancers, photographers, and music lovers, thank you. Your support gives the community the chance to come together for a good time, and gives us musicians the chance to do what we love. Thanks to you, younger musicians get the chance to play a live show for a live audience, something that doesn’t usually happen outside of bars. They get a taste of what it’s like to get paid to do something they’re passionate about, and they share the stage with both their peers and bands that they might not get the chance to see until they’re 21. This is how we build the future of Homer’s music scene. Thanks for keeping the pulse alive, and I hope to see you again soon, either on the stage or at the show.
Colin McArthur.

Alumni of ’89 shine
Sean Pearson’s article “Class of ’89 gives ‘Head Start’ to future classes” (Aug 12) exemplifies community spirit. Those future classes will be Homer High graduates of 2023 and beyond. On their behalf, I thank Rebekah Englishbee, Jennifer Jones, and their many classmates and families for transforming Homer Head Start playground into a place of beauty and utility during their recent 20-year reunion. Thanks also to Homer Foundation, Kyllonen Enterprises, and Spenard Builders for their contributions to “project playground.” Homer High class of ’89 has shown that Homer raised them well. As a community, let’s continue this trend. Perhaps the class of 2023 will also include community service in their 20-year reunion plans.
Terri Mach and Homer Head Start

Love glow spreads
It was an honor and a privilege to attend the ceremony of love between two beautiful people in Homer. It started off at the landmark, Homer Spit Lodge, where the small ceremony was held. Dave Anderson looking suave and debonair in his Leprechaun-ish air, and Trish Haun Anderson, looking ravishingly beautiful in her long black sequin and lace gown were simply beyond glowing, surrounded in so much love.
It was truly a warm and loving experience for all who attended, and after the personal vows were exchanged to each other, the entire wedding troupe moved to the Down East Saloon where they were greeted with other guests to celebrate with fantastic food and fun for all. Watching the bride and groom dance across the floor was very touching. Obviously this was a match made in heaven, and for that small space in time, I sure all the angels were smiling down on Dave and Trish.
Congratulations Dave and Trish Anderson. May you live many years together, and may all your years be blessed.
Mike and Maka Fairman

Soccer sirens swing
The Homer Sirens proudly represented our community at the Alaska Amateur Soccer Association State Cup in Anchorage. This was made possible by our generous sponsors: Homer Medical Clinic, Cosmic Kitchen, Fenske’s Warehouse, and Homer Community Schools. We are grateful for their support and also for the dedication of our coach, Mike Haines. We’ve progressed considerably since those first gatherings in 2007, but maintain fitness and fun as our primary mission. As Homer’s first amateur adult women’s soccer team, we plan to host a tournament in Homer next summer and play again in the ASA State Cup. “Thank you, Sponsors” for helping the Sirens expand soccer playing opportunities for women in Homer.
Terri Mach and Sirens Teammates

Thank you, Homer Foundation
After recently returning from a volleyball camp in Tempe, Ariz., I would like to thank the Alice Witte Memorial Scholarship Fund, Beth Trowbridge, and the Homer Foundation for providing the $500 grant and the support to send me to an out-of-state camp. While at this high intensity camp, I not only learned many skills to bring back to the Homer court, but I also had an amazing time there and met great people. So, once more I would like to thank all those involved for making this possible for me.
Ashley Ketelle

Summer reading program... well done
I would like to thank the sponsors, presenters, volunteers, library personnel and participants, who helped make the Homer Public Library’s Summer Reading Program a great success. Special thanks to Make a Bear Hugs Foundation and the Friends of the Homer Public Library for their sponsorship. Thank you also to Carey James for her help in advertising and setting up the programs and to the presenters Bill and Jonas Noomah, Beth Trowbridge, Diane Ditton, Teeneka Hansen, Patrick Lind, Don Russell, and musicians Virginia Cuffe, Marty Krohn, Rosemary Fitzpatrick, Lisa Schallock and Peter Norton for providing outstanding programs. Many local businesses and individuals donated funds, incentives, and prizes to keep the children reading throughout the summer while a wonderful group of volunteers made the final party a huge success. Without all of these people the program would not exist.
Thank you one and all!
Jolee Ellis
Homer Public Library
Summer Reading Program Coordinator

Jokers speculate
The “Joker” killed the peace movement. An even more cynical view might hold that the peace movement came to power expressly for the purpose of electing the “Joker.” One can only speculate. The result, however, we need not speculate. He is a war monger who, like his predecessor, has his sights on the “soft underbelly” of Asia. The phony “War on Terror” has, among other things, the encirclement of Russia as its central task. That’s not to say that we at home will be ignored. The “Joker” has bolstered the “Patriot Act,” given $20 million to banksters, and for toppers has delivered the American healthcare system over to corporate oligarchs. All while expanding the war on civilians. That’s a multitasker.
Maybe conservatives are the real peace people, the vets true anti-war potential. Christians may end up becoming embracers of humanity gathering God’s children under the idea that God is the parent of mankind. Christ as the ultimate anti-globalist NWO figure, offering the ultimate alternative to the prison planet offered by our current masters. Whoever can best articulate, in spiritual terms, the fight we are in is indeed a hero. We need no less than a spiritual Batman who can save us from the “Joker.” Wake up, Gothem, before it’s too late.
Peter Nagle

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