No Penguins in Kodiak

Q: What do you call a school without nuns?
A: Public School.

St Mary’s will be without nuns in June 2009, after the school year. Currently there are only 2 nuns left, but their presence is important to the school.

As a product of 11 years of Catholic Schools, the Kodiak Perspective knows that even if your teacher isn’t a nun, the nuns still pulled all the strings and set the tone in the building. 

Without the nuns, who will beat the children? The Kodiak Perspective has seen the success of have an education beaten into children. Say what you will, it works.

EARLY RETIREMENT

Many people have their retirement accounts in the stock market through 401k programs. These people have seen their account value decline significantly with the collapse and crisis in the credit market. These people are now looking at putting off their retirement.

Many companies are at the same time trying to streamline their operations by offering early retirement programs.
Some companies are reducing staff through layoffs, or reductions in force. 

If someone is depressed about their financial future and dreads the prospect of working at the same jobs for many years to come. There is an alternative.

Suicide: The ultimate VER

(Voluntary Early Retirement)

This slogan came to the Kodiak Perspective while listening to “Fresh Air” and a story about David Foster Wallace, who hanged himself. The Kodiak Perspective does not advocate or encourage suicide, it just came as a funny slogan to put on a t-shirt. 

Peterson Redux

Looks like that poor puffin could use a smoke.

READY FOR FALL? BRIDGE ANYONE

This past week the weather has felt autumnal as we quickly approach the equinox. There is a chill in the air, more days of rain, increasing winds, and the horizon rises more quickly to snatch the sun out of the sky.

It is time to start considering indoor activities for those dark evenings that are approaching. The Kodiak Perspective enjoys playing Bridge, a wonderful card game that can be enjoyed on Wednesdays at St James the Fisherman located at 421 Thorsheim St at 7:pm.

Bridge is a game that can be enjoyed on many levels: social, intellectual, or competitive. If you enjoy playing cards, bridge may be the game for you.

If you are interested, there are many ways to learn the basics including online instruction from the ACBL (American Contract Bridge League), or maybe the Kodiak Public Library.

To meet other players or to see the game being played, stop by the club, and you may even be treated to some of the fine baking of Cowboy Cobis.

The Kodiak Perspective hopes to see you some Wednesday at St James the Fisherman, 421 Thorsheim St, 7:pm. Everyone is welcome.

WHITE MAN’S “MAGIC” DESTROYS AGAIN

The Kodiak Perspective became aware of the situation in Adak from reading Alaska Real, a blog by an Alaskan Native. For the Native perspective please read her blog.

Alaska Real also states that she has received many unfeeling comments about the situation. Don’t be a “hater”. Bloggers put time and thought into their postings. You may disagree, but please don’t disrespect.

“I ask these people to look at the history of Adak - the real history. Aleut/Unungax people have lived there for thousands of years.”

The power of white man’s magic to destroy is awesome. Here is a culture that has survived thousands of years, and yet, in a short time, less than 200 years, the natives have become dependant on Diesel Fuel, and have to abandon their homes.

Adak is a remote island in the Aleutian chain. Trees do not grow there, it is volcanic with rough terrain, and is beset by harsh weather conditions. Not a very hospitable place to live, but people choose to live there.

I do not know how the indigenous people survived life on Adak, but I admire that achievement.

When white people come, they change everything. They trade pieces of paper for goods and services. White man’s goods can be bought for cash, things like Ipods, boilers for heat, alcohol, that were not part of society and which change culture. Now you are dependant on white man’s power, electricity or fuel oil. Which cost more money, and now more than you have. Mostly because you do not fit into white man’s economy.

It is sad, but it is very hard to rediscover your original lifestyle, and white man’s magic is so enticing, you may not wish to return to a time before. So the culture dies.

Little pieces survive, like grass basket weaving, but white man has destroyed your way of life. 

BAD TIMING

During the week that the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported that many Kodiak residents do not have affordable housing, while the news on the economy worsens, reports that Alaskans carry the highest credit card debt, the Borough Elections Pamphlet arrived with the proposal to issue up to $115,300,000.00 in bonds for a new high school. 

This is just one of many projects that has been sold to the public as a must have, some from the city and some from the borough, a Police Station/ Jail, Fire House, Library, Travel Lift, a swimming pool (in progress), to name a few.

When citizens are already overextended, the Kodiak Perspective wonders what kind of drugs our elected officials are on (and where can we get some). 

Maybe it is time to explore other options, distance learning provides one model, or graduating motivated students who pass the exit exams and moving them into the private sector. There must be many ideas that can be explored without these massive costly projects.

ALSO ON THE BALLOT

After the defeat of the “Clean Elections” proposal in the last election, the Borough offers a proposal to relax financial disclosure requirements for those seeking office.

Seems that the “Corrupt Bastards Club” is flexing their political muscle. The City of Kodiak has already lowered their standards, and we live with the results.

Whatever your views on these issues, the Kodiak Perspective urges all to register and vote. This election will be held on October 7th. 

WELCOME TO KODIAK

Don’t dare to try to have any fun.

The Alaskan experience conjures images of pristine lands, pure waters, abundant wildlife, adventuresome souls. Hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and just being out of doors at every possible moment.

This will not be tolerated on Kodiak Island, where you will have to ask permission to go hiking on popular trails, thanks to Lesnoi, Inc, or Woody Island Natives. There has been much debate since the Kodiak Daily Mirror reported that Lesnoi would start issuing land use permits for non-Lesnoi people to enjoy the land.

The Kodiak Perspective did not know which parcels of lands are claimed be Lesnoi, but was able to find maps at the website of the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resourses, Division of Mining, Land, and Water.

Lesnoi holds most of the Kodiak road system, including many popular hiking trails. To hike to Termination Point, one has to pass through land held by Lesnoi, and the Ouzinkie Native Corp.

In the other direction, if you wanted to hike up to Heitman Lake for a afternoon of swimming, you would need a permit from Lesnoi.  

What this means for the Kodiak Audubon Society sponsored hikes remains to be seen, will each hiker need a permit? “The Guide to Birding and Hiking on Kodiak Island” may need to be amended to advise of the new requirements. remains to be seen, will each hiker need a permit?

Enforcement of this new policy may prove problematic, as the area is large and entry points are spread out along the road system. Even though the trails are popular, use is sporadic.

Maybe the “white” people will do as they have always done to the indigenous peoples, and do as they please. 

ENDORSEMENT

With the Presidential election just months away, and the attention drawn here in the State of Alaska with our Governess nominated as V-Pilf. Some may be wondering which way the Kodiak Perspective is leaning in this contest.



This is an art exhibit opening in Carmel, CA in October.

From his political debate

“I can’t blab such blibber-blubber, my tongue isn't made of rubber”.

SARAH MEETS THE PRESS

Just in case you missed Sarah's interview with Charlie Gibson, or were in line at Taco Bell,  . . . 

No, that is way too serious, instead here is her interview with BLOGMONKEY.

DRESS LIKE A REPUBLICAN

With the first round of pay outs for this year’s Permanent Fund Dividend, with an energy kicker expected this weekend, Alaskans like to go shopping. What do you do with this “found” money? Put it into heating costs, college, pay off some debt, a new big screen TV or computer, travel? There are many possibilities.

With our Governess in the spotlight, maybe the money she sent you could be used for a make over and a new wardrobe. One that the Republicans would be proud to wear. Like this one featured on Lilly Pulitzer of Palm Beach: Phipps Pants $195, Bradley Argyle Sweater $225,
Men’s Cashmere Socks $75, and a D-Ring striped belt $75.

Or you can choose to go Kodiak chic with a new pair of XtraTuffs Boots, Grunden Fleece Pants, and a Kodiak Marine Supply Sweatshirt.