Climate Change Response
Dear Editor: It’s been awhile since I’ve found a need to respond to a letter that has been written to the editor, but Mr. Svenson’s epistle of May 2 definitely required a response. I think the juxtaposition of “socialist” with “environmentalist” is what caught my eye first and as I forced my attention through the complete narrative, his warning to not bother arguing with said “environmental socialist,” and a “sneaky” one at that, infuriated me most. “It does no good to debate these people, they will just flat out lie.”
Wow. So much name calling. First of all, the use of name calling and fear mongering in discussions that warrant substantive dialogue is really counterproductive. Is it really so wrong to try and educate oneself about issues of such great importance? I will not counter with facts supporting the evidence of global warming as 99 percent of all scientists today have already done so. Really, what would drive them to lie? I’m not a scientist but do care about the environment – however, according to Mr. Svenson’s parameters, I am suspected of being a liar, socialist, left-winged kook and, heaven forbid, a sneak.
Yes, Mr. Svenson, it has been what seems like an overly long, cool, wet spring. But science aside, I can attest to the fact that this is the first year in decades that I did not need to run water to keep my pipes from freezing. I was relieved. In spite of the fact that we are tired of the cold and the rain, 2012 was the hottest year in U.S. recorded history. I guess that is why our ice fields are melting three times as much each year as in the 1990s and the sea levels are rising. That worries me as I live right on the water. We are also experiencing extreme weather. Every news source attests to it.
Apparently, and don’t take my word for it as it is cited at least a million times, climate change in particular is affecting the formation of heat waves, droughts and intense precipitation. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to observe that these events are currently happening. People who are greatly affected do not see these as laughing matters and would hate to be labeled one of the many caustic names you have presented in your letter. As a fisherman, Mr. Svenson, I would think you would be greatly concerned to see the temperature of the oceans rise. I know our fishing family is concerned. If our resource disappears, so does our livelihood. So with that in mind, let’s quit the name calling and fear mongering. Whether our current global warming is cyclical, man-made or a combination of both, we cannot afford to play the blame game. We don’t have the time. Let’s come to the table with an open and informed mind. Only then will something positive occur. I just hope it is not too late. I may be “left-winged” as you undoubtedly perceive me but certainly not a “kook.”
Catherine Parker, Sitka
Woman’s Club Donation
Dear Editor: The Sitka Babies and Books Committee would like to give recognition and express how grateful we are for the generous donation from the Sitka Woman’s Club to our organization. Because of their contribution, our mission can continue to thrive and ensure that all children in Sitka can become lifelong avid readers. We are able to do this by providing books to children, as well as give parent education and support during the first three years of a child’s life.
The contribution we received from the Sitka Woman’s Club not only helps fund our organization and keeps it going, but they have also given encouragement and support to all the children in our community to gain a passion for reading.
Sitka Babies and Books Committee
Bike Rodeo Thanks
Dear Editor: The Sitka Rotary Club wishes to thank the United States Coast Guard, SEARHC hospital, Sitka Police Department, and Island Fever doing business as Sitka Bike and Hike for their partnership in the recent Annual Bike Rodeo held at the Coast Guard hangar Saturday, May 4. There were over 50 children (thank you ,moms and dads) who brought their bikes that were registered (thank you, Sitka Police Department), inspected for safety (thank you, TJ and Beth Jefferies), were given helmets (thank you, SEARHC and Sitka Bike and Hike), and given the opportunity to practice riding an obstacle course (thank you USCG and Rotary members) and then have a hotdog and snacks and bike and talk with their friends. Thank you in advance to all the car drivers who will keep a sharp eye out of the young and old bike riders of Sitka.
Sitka Rotary Club
Host Mom
Dear Editor: My name is Yvonne Keller, and I am a high school AFS exchange student from Germany.
This year, I was hosted by the Robert and Colleen Dahlquist family. As I think about heading home this June, I want to thank my entire host family, but especially my host mom, Colleen, who became my second mom over the year.
One of my favorite quotes says “Family isn’t always about blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs, the one who accept you for who you are and the ones who would do anything to see you happy and smile,” and I found people like this here in Sitka. One of them is my Mom.
The entire year she supported me in everything I did and helped me. She opened her home for me and made me a part of her family.
Coming here takes a lot of courage and can be really scary. A new language, culture and new people. I was terrified and oftentimes felt lost and missed home – exactly in those moments my mom was there for me and what seemed granted to her, changed my entire attitude and my year.
Those things include the fact that since I moved in, Nutella became the new peanut butter. Or the fact that after our dog, in the morning, ate my loved, golden, big Lindt-Easterbunny, she went to the store and bought the only comparable German chocolate in Sitka for me, drew Easter Bunnies on them and gave them to me as replacement.
The many hugs she gives me every time she knows I had a hard day. The many things she arranges for me so that I’m never bored in Sitka. Colleen planned a trip to Leavenworth in Washington, a Bavarian-styled town, just to make me happy and to give me a taste of home within my year. She started baking ‘‘real’’ bread after I was mentioning how much I miss it.
She makes me laugh every single day either because she lost her keys again or her phone or because of diverse other things.
Everybody who knows Colleen knows what I’m talking about. I could go on like this forever but I just want to tell her one thing: thank you!
I wanted to study in the U.S. this year to experience something new, learn another culture and meet new people. What I learned is far beyond the things I expected to see, feel and experience. I found another family here, a family which is to me as important as my family in Germany.
I found a new home.
Thank you, Mom, for making this possible. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
If you are interested in learning more about hosting AFS exchange student like me this fall, visit afsusa.org/hostfamily or see our AFS Alaska webpage at http://www.afsusa.org/alaska/.
Yvonne Keller, Sitka
