News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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Here are a few thoughts from the last few weeks. Remember, my thoughts are strictly my thoughts, not anyone’s at the paper, school, church or in my household. Please do not hold them accountable for anything I might write here or say in public. With that being said, here we go. Take the survey. Whether online or through the mail, it does not matter as long as you do it. This is a chance for every one of us to finally voice an opinion on consolidation for the towns. I think we all know my opinion by now, but in case you missed it: I only see g... Full story
With the recent class of graduates surviving the sticky heat in the gym and receiving their neatly bound diplomas, I decided to look back at some of the subject courses throughout the years that have mysteriously disappeared from the schedules of students. First, I must say that I am fully aware that there is a budget involved here. I realize that some classes do not make the cut and we must focus on the state-required mandates of education requirements, first and foremost. I also realize that you must have a teacher to teach said subject. OK,... Full story
Sometimes the hard work of one man can go unnoticed. But in the case of Dr. Dennis Carlson, we have a new Pre-K-through-12 school that cannot go unnoticed. Since his arrival here in Coulee Country, he has made an impact. He would be the first to tell you that it has not all been smooth; and yet, time and time again things just seem to get done under this school district superintendent’s watch. As a matter of fact, he is not done yet improving things around here. Obviously, the new school is a big portion of what he has accomplished here, but t... Full story
Relax. That’s right, I said it. Relax. You have had a strenuous senior year and you are thinking that this has been so hard. Note that I said “thinking.” I use that word because for most of you, you think the last four years were the most grueling, difficult and dramatic times that will ever be. But, unfortunately, they won’t be. Soon you will be thinking back, wishing life were as simple as it was in 2016. So relax, and while relaxing do this other “R” word: reflect. Very soon, you will know the pressures of adult life, and that is where thing... Full story
Last week I started a peek into the Senior class which, before we know it, will be stepping out on stage and receiving that coveted paper that says, “Congratulations, you have met all the requirements …” and lets them know that the next step is totally up to them. We are talking about young adults like Bubba Garcia, who decided his future last year when he swore an oath, entered into the armed forces and spent his summer at boot camp. With a focus and vigor, he knows what he wants and is fighting a very strong fight to achieve it. Bubba... Full story
This is the time of year when a small group of people in our community start to panic. A whirlwind of activity surrounds them, with every day being one step closer to that goal they have coveted for the last 13 years: graduation. The senior class of 2016 at Lake Roosevelt is no exception. Papers, projects and deadlines are consuming them as we speak, all hinging a wager on whether they get that little piece of paper that signifies the first step in adulthood. But if we are to be honest, the learning of life lessons is just about to start and,... Full story
Most of you probably have no idea who this is. Some USBR employees know him, but more importantly a handful of high school kids know him too. Recently Mr. Hill came to Lake Roosevelt and spoke some truth into the ears of our young adults with a positive but straightforward message, hoping that his words would shake some loose from the confines of their own situations. Like me about 10 years ago, when you first meet Rich, you are intimidated. He is a huge man, with muscles that bulge like a profe... Full story
A lot of stuff has been happening across Coulee Country, and the entire nation, for that matter. Theft, drugs, abuse and neglect are just a few of the plagues that are ravaging our neighborhoods and nation, and I might even say world. I use the word “plagues” because it has risen to an epidemic of biblical proportions. The question that always follows is, “What will we do about it?” The first answer is always tougher laws, more officers, and more education. But we have done that. There is not...
A crisis is upon us. A father recently reached out to me and had an idea for a column. He had noticed a scary situation taking form with a group of young people. This group was and is a tight-knit community type of clique that speaks of death constantly, especially suicide. This misled group counsels each other, hides each other and recruits others that are in vulnerable situations. They have formed a pact or a family of the misguided, if you will. This whole area has been affected by the sorrowful effects of suicide. We have seen it take our y... Full story
My favorite subject in school is and was history. I loved learning of our country’s and state’s past triumphs and struggles. I still today loves hearing of people’s journeys — where they came from, their ancestry and what events reshaped their views of the world. Take our local area, for example. We always start with pioneers and homesteaders. Then the great Grand Coulee Dam and its erecting, B Street activities, patriarchs and world leaders who paved the way for everything we see now. We love our history, but sometimes we leave out a very im... Full story
Well, it was a packed week last week, but Spring Break is just around the corner. With a week-long rest coming I thought I would give you my highlights for the last seven days. Fundraising can be a drag sometimes. With the peddling of all kinds of stuff from cups to pizza, and donations for every sport and organization with their hands out and puppy dog eyes in place and locked to yours. But every once in a while an effort comes forward that makes you smile and reach deep within your empty wallet and gladly donate. This time the worthy cause... Full story
This weekend is Easter, and although it has snuck up on us and arrived early this year, the meaning is just as relevant today as the events that led to it many, many years ago. Contrary to today’s tradition, it is not about a bunny, chocolate, gifts or eggs. Sorry I did not give you a spoiler warning, but I think it is important for us all to remember the real message, not only this weekend, but every day of our lives. It is a pivotal point in our existence that must be remembered daily. A young person told me recently, “I don’t believe in Go... Full story
Ask any butcher: trimming the fat off a beef or a deer is essential to the prime cuts of meat. Some butchers just throw away the excess fat; others use it in other places, like in burger. Others even give the fat away or sell it to candle makers or other crafts that require the waxy substance. That being said, native tribes from around the globe use every part of the animal. Especially the nomads way up north who rely on the fatty substance to survive. But even we meat lovers say, “A little fat is where the flavor is” as we gnaw on a whi... Full story
It is a big world. Most people, when asked about things they want to accomplish in life, answer at least part of the question with, “See the world” or “Travel.” A lot of us get to do that. Others are stuck in the land where they grew up. It is amazing to hear a kid say “I have never been to Seattle” or “I have never been out of Washington state.” But those types are here. Most, through no fault of their own, just never got the opportunity. But it is a big world. I have been a few places. Not, by... Full story
The gray days filled with gloom and chill are disappearing fast. The robins are moving in and the buttercups are blooming. Sneezing is more prevalent, and that means spring is here. Yes, you may open the curtains now and even open up the door. Don’t worry, that bright light in the sky is the sun. You may not recognize it, but it is. Feel the warmth, the glow, meaning soon we will be complaining about the heat — but not just yet. Kids, if you noticed your dad and mom pulling these long things out of the garage with finger-like things on the end... Full story
There comes a time in every man’s life when enough is enough. I reached my tipping point with chicken this weekend. Let me explain before you start telling me about “how good chicken is” for me. My lovely wife, (I know, many a husband’s sad stories begins this way) has a heart for kids. She enjoys cooking for people too. Plus, the position she holds in the school right now, on every early-out Monday they provide a meal in a café-type setting. You may have read about that on these very pages not long ago. So this Monday, chicken soup was on t... Full story
Recently Victor “The Mongoose” Camarena was named Regional Junior High Wrestling Coach of the Year. Big accomplishments for any man, but even greater for Victor. Victor is a former Raider himself and a former state-caliber wrestler. To be honest, he is probably still at that caliber of wrestling and has been coaching future wrestling studs and studettes since his return to the area. But it does not stop there. He is in the hallways and the classrooms, too, helping with science, tutoring with math, encouraging students to get their grades up and... Full story
What would have happened if Michael Jordan would have quit basketball after not making his high school team as a freshman? Or if George Washington had told his troops, “We are getting our butts kicked and starving and freezing; let’s go home.” Or if the Wright brothers had listened to those who said flying was impossible. Or if Mystery Inc. had never conquered their fears, but instead ran off with Scooby for a snack? All of these examples are of those who did not let major obstacles hold them back. They persevered; they battled on for the g... Full story
Sickness can be a war on many fronts. From the common cold to a major disease, it affects us in a wide variety of situations that cause us to go to war for ourselves. Sometimes it is a battle of one and sometimes you must devise a plan filled with many faces to assist you on your germ war. Right now in our community and around the globe, viruses and genetic mutations and bacteria and major diseases have crept in during the darkness and infected us, our family and our neighbors. But there is a hope and the fight has begun. Not too long ago (you... Full story
Most of you know nothing about a secret operation that is going on at Lake Roosevelt. But I am about to let you in on an undercover operation that has been lifting the spirits of staff and blessing everyone from bus drivers to teachers at the school. A secret group of community members has been bringing lunches, snacks and, yes, red apples to everyone at LR randomly throughout the year. Birthdays are never forgotten either, with little tags on a treat wishing you well on your special day. More than one staff member has said that this group of... Full story
Experience + your current situation x encouragement = decisions being made. That sounds simple enough, and I am sure there are a lot of other factors involved, but really this is the basis for our decisions. Plus all you math geeks (Jeremiah and Jeff) love to get math involved in everyday life. Commercials bombard us, politicians preach at us and influences direct us as we navigate our ship on the strong currents of life. Sometimes we run our boat ashore and cause damage until we get it fixed and move on. Life experience can be as simple as... Full story
This last weekend was the start of the NFL Playoffs. Wins by the Chiefs, Seahawks, Steelers and Packers set things up for an action-packed football weekend coming up. But I want to talk about the game between the Bengals and the Steelers and the absolute disgust I felt at the end of that game, which in some ways might reflect America today. It was a good game. Players were leaving their mark and making big plays to help their team, but none of that will be remembered because of the selfish play of a few. Players from both sides are guilty and... Full story
Sometimes you just get some extra time to think about things. Things like, “did I really write that the Chiefs would win the Super Bowl?” and “did I really just see that person pick their nose while working the cash register?” You know, things like that. Why does every other school district around us get “snow days” or late starts and we just keep plugging along, business as usual. For years, we have called the strip from Coulee Dam to Belvedere the banana belt, but come on, man. Maybe we just have really good bus drivers and really dedicated s... Full story
I thought I would start the new year with some predictions for 2016. You know, stuff I think will happen and more than likely will. Confidence is the key here. • So prediction number one is, (drum roll) the Coulee area will purchase more snow removal equipment this year than ever before. Snow blowers, snow shovels and de-icer stock will skyrocket in the local economy, leaving shelves empty and consumers using their old shovels and rock salt to get themselves out of the big freeze. But the bright side is that our old shovels are practically b... Full story
If you asked a child what the “best present” they could receive this year would be, you would get answers that vary. One might say a pony, another might say a Playstation III with some kind of Star Trek-sounding adapter. All would say a new phone, even if they did not even know how to count to 10. Older kids might be more specific with their desires, but few would stray further than the newest electronic zombie maker of their choice. But is that really the best present? If we went a little older with the question, we might get more realistic an... Full story