Thanks to all for plastic foam cleanup
In mid-August, Inletkeeper received numerous reports to its pollution hotline from local property owners regarding a large number of unsecured Styrofoam rafts breaking into tiny beads in Kachemak Bay. These toxic polystyrene beads are a big problem in the marine environment, because they find their way into our fish and shellfish – and eventually, us. Despite calls to state and federal agencies, none could respond. As a result, Inletkeeper spearheaded a rapid response clean-up effort that removed the vast majority of the unsecured Styrofoam from Kachemak Bay. This was an all-hands-on-deck effort, and it wouldn’t have been possible without incredible help from (in no particular order): Lauri Pepi, Leeanne Crafton, Laura Pillifant, Whitney Blonnt, Melina Reynolds, Mamie Walker, Ionlia Jilly, Greg Tressler, Mike Flora, Louie Flora, Jonathon Flora, and Nancy Kleine. And special thanks to Zach Porter, Kevin Wyatt and the LC X-tratuff, Greg Tressler and the LC Hesketh Island, and Bryan Hawkins and the Homer Port &Harbor. Due to limited resources, Inletkeeper typically shies away from marine debris issues. However, because so many docks around Kachemak Bay contain Styrofoam, we see an important opportunity to work with local businesses and property owners to protect the marine resources that support our local economy. So, if you have old Styrofoam docks, and would like help disposing of them properly, please get in touch with us at 235-4068 ext. 22 or keeper@inletkeeper.org.
Bob Shavelson, Inletkeeper
Time to Share the Spirit
Dear Editor and Neighbor in Need;
We hope you have been successful this spring and summer and that you have been able put aside a bit of money to take care of your household’s needs for the holiday season. If that has not yet been possible, please plan now to save a bit or budget to keep a bit of your PFD in reserves for the holidays.
For all the members of the community that have supported this program over the years:
We send this letter out as a reminder that the PFD is days away from flooding into our pockets, and even though it may be smaller this year than we would like, we are still here to ask that you plan to put a bit aside to donate to the Holiday program, providing Christmas Baskets for needy members of our community. As in the past monetary donations may be dropped off at Wells Fargo Bank or mailed to P.O. Box 3218, Homer AK 99603.
There will be many ways for all members of the community to be involved in this area wide project and in the coming issues of this paper, we hope to detail these options for you.
One immediate need is an organizer for the Spaghetti Feed our Annual fund raising event. If any group, family of individual is willing to take on this project, we would be appreciative. All interested partied are asked to call Share the Spirit at 235-7466.
In a perfect world no one will be in need. Share the Spirit wishes you all the best, we will reach out to the community again in the days to come, until then …
Remember to Share the Spirit.
Kelly Glidden and Shari Daugherty, Co-chairs, Basket Progam; Jayne Locklar, President; Jonathan Adams, Vice-president, Share the Spirit
Thanks for school supplies help
Thank you to all the folks who helped 73 children, clients of the Homer Community Food Pantry, start their school year on a positive note. These students on the Southern Kenai Peninsula began school with new backpacks filled with supplies. Thank you for helping to level the playing field for these students in need.
This is the eleventh year of the Omicron Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma’s “Back to School Supplies Project.” The success of this project happens because of the community support and collaborative efforts with local service groups and churches. We wish to thank all of those folks who repeatedly filled the donation container at Ulmer’s Drug and Hardware. Special kudos to the local services groups who continue with their support: Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary Club for their mini-grant for startup costs, the Homer Emblem Club, Kachemak Bay Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Homer Downtown, along with Homer Brewing Company, Bev Wisdom, Debbie Smith, Rita Pfenninger, John and Ruhiyyik Baker and the anonymous donors for their financial contributions. Thank you to the caring members of the Faith Lutheran, Christian Community, Homer United Methodist and Glacierview Baptist churches who continue to stuff the collection boxes to the brim with backpacks and supplies. Save-U-More’s and Homer Art and Frame Shop’s assistance with the purchasing of school supplies was greatly appreciated.
Ulmer’s housing of the donation receptacle was instrumental in giving the community a place to participate in DKG’s “Back to School Supplies Project.” A special shout out goes to the members of the Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary Club, who joined our members in assembling the backpacks, Linda Munns for her social media efforts, West Homer Elementary for use of the space for packing the packs and Barb Veeck for the use of her van to transport the packs. Thank you to East End Mini Storage for continued storage space. Their assistance helps this project be successful on a year round basis.
Thank you for making a difference in a child’s education. Your generosity demonstrates a commitment to helping children succeed in school.
With gratitude,
Karen Murdock
Omicron Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma
Thanks for HCOA scholarship
I would first like to apologize for not writing in so long, but in the beginning of the spring, I was awarded a Homer Council on the Arts scholarship for a summer camp by the name of Sitka Fine Arts Camp. This was my second year going, and I was taking new classes. I was taking mask theater, a writing block called fairy tale and legend, an electronic music class, a stage combat class, and Shakespeare. When I was there, we ate in a massive cafeteria and slept in very nice dorms. My classes were fun and I met a lot of new people and saw a lot of old friends. To show my experience, I made a video on a few of the things that I did there. It would be my pleasure to share it with you and I give you permission to share it with others. This program is so great, it offers chances to people that might not have been able to have them otherwise. Thank you so much for giving me this chance, and many more to come. I will always give credit to this program.
Thanks once again.
Liam James
Animal Shelter appreciates help
We at the Homer Animal Shelter wish to send out a heartfelt thank you to all the citizens of Homer for your support over the past nine months. The level of compassion and assistance that we have received is truly impressive. The generosity and kindness that Homer has for the animals is so very much appreciated that it is hard to put it into words.
We have received food, volunteer time and financial donations that have helped us keep things running here at the shelter. Our freezers are packed with frozen food donations and we have a steady flow of supplies donated to the shelter. That is all thanks to YOU! Even the local businesses get “two paws up” for supporting our spring adoption initiative, helping advertise adoptable animals and collecting donations.
Thank you again Homer, for caring and watching out for our shelter and four-legged friends. They need a voice and you have made our community that much more aware. The residents of this city not only help us support the animals within the shelter, but also help us to protect the animals that have homes. We get calls daily from concerned citizens about animals in our city, whether it be about a dog on the lose or someone concerned about a cats’ well-being. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you think an animal may be in need, or if you have any questions about animal welfare. We do our best to help, and if we can’t we will point you in the right direction.
Thanks to your open hearts and open homes, we can and will continue to place animals in loving homes and reunite lost critters with their owners. The animals of Homer are grateful to have caring humans like you!
Sincerely,
Amy Ware, Alaska Mindful Paws, and the staff at the Homer Animals Shelter
Thanks for Supporting Cystic Fibrosis and Lost Lake Run
End of the Road Runners would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our incredible sponsors for their generous support of the Lost Lake Run and cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the US (70,000 worldwide) have CF.
Thanks to donations from our sponsors and other individuals and businesses, Lost Lake 2017 raised over $300,000! These funds go directly to supporting research towards future treatments for C.F. and to changing the lives of people in Alaska, including Governor Walker’s daughter-in-law and even a beautiful baby right here in Homer.
One of the traditions of the run is that every mile marker features a photo and a biography of a child battling cystic fibrosis. Their stories serve to inspire runners through the tough, 16 – mile alpine course, and also put into perspective what courage in the face of real challenge is all about. Please join us in thanking theses generous sponsors for making 2017 the most successful fundraising year in the 26-year history of the Lost Lake Race: Gold Level Sponsor: The Tips Homer Golf Course; Silver Level Sponsors: Alibi Bar and Grill. Best Western Bidarka Inn, Makos Water Taxi, Kelly Bolt, Hedwig Faber; Other Generous Sponsors: Two Sisters Bakery, Homer Jeans.
Sincerely,
End of the Road Runners
Derek Bynagle, Jen Booz, Kenny Daher, Lila Johnson, Nicole McKenney, Kim Powell, Martin Schuster,
Erika Thompson
OVERSET BEGINS
Margaret Anderson family expresses gratitude
The family of Margaret Anderson would like to thank everyone for their cards, calls, flowers and kind words during our time of loss. it means a lot to us and is much appreciated. She will be missed by many.
Thank you.
Marti Anderson
Team 907 player gives thanks
Homer once again reminded me of what a great place it has been to grow up in, especially because of the generosity of the people who live here. This past summer I was invited to play in Las Vegas on a traveling basketball team, called Team 907.
The team was comprised of ten players from around the state, and we traveled to Las Vegas where we spent the next three weeks playing ball. We practiced in high-level training camps around pros and played in two tournaments during our time down there. Our team competed at the highest level, going 8-2 overall in the two biggest tournaments in the entire country. The second one we entered in had over 150 teams from around the world. We were able to play many games in front of college coaches and get lots of exposure, which could open many doors in my near future.
However, in order to be able to go on this incredible trip, I had to raise $3000 dollars. To raise that money, I mowed miles of lawns and was covered head to toe in grass clippings every day. In addition to that, I went around trying to fundraise from businesses and individuals in the community alike. From generous donations, I was able to raise all of the money needed and go on the most influential trip of my life. I grew not only as a basketball player, but as a person. I was exposed to many new experiences and situations both on and off the court, and what started as a basketball trip also became a huge development in my personal being. And for that, I would like to thank the people and businesses listed below: Mom and Dad, All Seasons Honda, Black Water Bend, Blackwell Pump Service, Bruins Basketball, Northwind, Sons of the American Legion, Deb Lowney, Grandma and Grandpa Wagner, Kenny Daher, Eric Knudtson, Jen and Eric Waltenbaugh, Colby and Devon Way, Faye and RJ, Tiffany Dierolf, Dan and Amanda Miotke, and Floyd and Gurt Seekins.
Sincerely,
Koby Etzwiler
Many support CACS raffle
The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies would like to thank everyone who supported our Costa Rica Raffle Fundraising Event! Through the purchase of a raffle ticket you had a chance to win a fabulous trip to Casa Las Nubes, donated by Board member Leah Evans Cloud, and you also supported a great cause: hands-on science-based outdoor education that stimulates environmental stewardship. We lead dozens of programs that engage many thousands of students each year and our “Dream Vacation Raffle” is a fun way for people to help us reach more kids with innovative programming.
Our lucky winner was Homer’s own Dots Sherwood! Congratulations Dots, and thanks for all you do for our animal friends in the Homer community!
CACS is celebrating our 35th anniversary this year and we are forever grateful to all of our volunteers and supporters who have helped us get this far and will keep us going for many, many years to come!
With gratitude,
Beth Trowbridge, Executive Director
Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies
Flex students appreciate DocFest support
On behalf of myself and everyone here at Homer Flex High School, I would like to sincerely thank the Homer Theatre for allowing us as a school to attend the Documentary Film Festival. The films this year where extremely intriguing, and deep in storyline. One that I personally enjoyed the most was the movie “Step.” It exercised several aspects, within their Step performances, of the hip hop culture, my culture, as well as being controversial and emotional. This film inspired me, and one day I will create a documentary about hip hop culture in Homer.
Sincerely,
Colten Lee Morris
Health care for Congress is solution to health care for all
The solution to government run health care for all of America is right under the noses of congress. Congress says it wants the best medical program for America that can be delivered. At no time do you hear of any complaints from congress on their government run health care program that they receive. The reason for that is because their program is A-1 quality run for Congress. All Congress has to do is give all Americans the same government run health care program that they have and the health care issue will be solved right there on the spot.
John Suter
Chugiak
Young in pocket of sugar cartel
Congressman Don Young (R-AL) is in the pocket of the nation’s beet and cane sugar cartels! Young continually votes to maintain the U.S. Sugar program. Why? It is really quite simple, Congressman Young received well over $48,000 in political donations from the sugar cartels since coming to Washington in 1973.
Thanks to Rep. Young and others, the U.S. Sugar Program continues. The Sugar Program is a Soviet style command and control scheme that restricts planting and imports. This inflates the price of sugar in the United States to almost double the world price. So, when you go to the store to buy a snack cake or anything sweetened, you pay more! According to the Congressional Budget Office, the program means Americans pay $3.5 billion every year in increased grocery costs, which breaks down to $58 per household.
In Rep. Young’ 44 years in office, he repeatedly voted against sugar reform costing each Alaska family an additional $2,552 for groceries. You have to ask yourself, is my Congressman really fighting to make life better, or is he just another politician in it for the campaign contributions? It’s time for Congressman Young to step up and end this costly government giveaway to the cartels!
The Independent Bakers’ Association is an international trade association that fights to protect the interests of mostly family owned wholesale bakers and allied trades. For more information about IBA and sugar program corruption, visit IBAbaker.com.
Sincerely,
Nicholas A. Pyle, President
Independent Bakers’ Association
Washington, D.C.
