Fabulous finds at Earthquake Park
We took a Christmas day walk on the Coastal Trail, first stopping at the 100Stone project, which is amazing, and then down the trail to Earthquake Park. There we stumbled across a side trail called "Inside the slide." It is a perfect winter trail into the "bowels" of the park. It's a bit easy to get off the trail due to all the fat-tire bike routes crisscrossing the area, but for the most part the directional signs are easy to follow.
The interpretive signs along the way are just fabulous! They provide amazing insight into the way the landforms changed during the earthquake and the response of the natural world to the amazing disruption that jarred everything in the path. The signs are somewhat technical but never to the point of confusion. I learned a few geological terms I had never heard. The developers of these signs obviously spent a huge amount of time and effort to find specific spots on the trail that illustrate the concepts they wanted to share, and they were able to communicate those concepts with words and pictures in a most wonderful manner.
This trail is well worth an hour or two of your time and it is a perfect winter stroll. It should be the perfect field trip for any science class. Many thanks to the Parks Department, Anchorage Park Foundation, USGS, and earthscapes for creating a wonderful asset to our city!
Alaskans given idiotic choice
So I am curious as to how many of you folks have succumbed to the idea that you either need to be taxed or have your dividend taken or lessened? You do realize they are giving you an idiotic choice. There is plenty to cut, without cutting state employees, and not have to tax or STEAL your dividend. Please wake up and speak up. Make the folks in Juneau do their jobs and what we sent them there to do. Thanks and go Cowboys!
Drivers should use turn signals
I completely agree with Jenny Burke's letter (Dec. 25) about Anchorage drivers and the need for more traffic cops. Anchorage drivers are horrible.
However, in her list of offenses she left out one of my most irritating ones: not using turn signals. I don't know if the problem is caused by laziness or some other reason. I do know that we would have a lot fewer accidents if people used their turn signals in a timely manner. The purpose of the turn signal is to let other drivers know you are about to turn or change lanes. It defeats the purpose when you turn on a signal when you're in the middle of a turn, which I see many do. Please people consider others and use your turn signal.
Justice means treating mental illness, not locking victims up
My dear people of Kachemak Bay,
I refer you to my Dec. 18, commentary, courageously printed by the Alaska Dispatch News, if you have not yet seen this article: Alaska's 'Spoonguy' got railroaded; mental illness should be treated, not locked up. This is an Alaska tale! The setting: East End Road Bike Path in Kachemak City, the characters: 3 large out-of-control dogs, Spoonguy on bicycle loaded with spoons, the dog handler, the rogue cop, the merciful cop, the prosecutor, jury, judge, Homer jail, Wildwood Pre-trial Facility. 'Tis a biblical tale of justice and mercy unfolding among us, here, now!
As word of Mike's plight grows, popular response on Change.org included this message of judicial gravity from Gail Heineman of Anchorage: "It is in no way clear that justice would be served, nor would we Alaskans be made safer, by locking up this man."
Gail's words place us in the realm of justice. The judge's role is to listen and weigh the scales of justice. Judges are fortunate to be able to hear the voice of the people. Even more fortunate are those judges who listen to the voice of the people, and find a way through the mire of law and custom to common law principles of justice and mercy.
Thank you, Gail. Thank you, Mike's hundreds of supporters, willing to sign our petition for community protection, not imprisonment, of the mentally disordered. We are grateful for these unique souls among us, damaged by violent experience, who continue to soldier on through life, enduring mental pain, healing in community, providing valuable services to community, testing our patience, and teaching us lessons of patience, compassion, empathy, mercy, and wisdom.
Thank you for your fine messages. We are listening.