FEATURES Comic Developments in the Health Care Reform War
Dose of Reality, by Neil Davis It's Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man all over again: the Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus and his straight man Chuck Grassley are bumbling along, playing their roles like funnymen, while the Invisible Man is played by single-payer health care plan HR 676.
Dr. Geyges' Guide for the Perplexed
advice from Dr. Geyges for the theologically challenged Bloodless Bertha in Bethel writes seeking advice on the question of "varmints and vermin like bed bugs and chiggers and fleas and lice and roundworms"—and especially mosquitoes. If "It is good!" as God says, what are these terrible creatures good for, and is it a sin to hate them?
Firefighting in Ester in 1978
by J.D. Ragan The tow truck had a car on fire but couldn't get the chains loose, and the EVFD's brand-new used firetruck (an appropriate lemon-yellow color) wouldn't start.
Four-dollar Latté
Outpost Agriculture, by Philip A. Loring The most widespread victual phenomenon of the twenty-first century has easily been the adoption of the oversized espresso drink as the cultural beverage du jour.
In Our Own Backyards
story and photos by Jillian Jost Thorpe The impact of the backyard garden, the community garden, and the school garden is enormous, for our health, our pocketbooks, and for the wellbeing of our society.
It's Fair Time!
The Long View, by Ross Coen The Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition was a world's fair in everything but name, and offered only a suprisingly cursory view of the North.
Local Businesses Go to Market
by D. Helfferich The Ester Community Market, while much smaller than the well-established Tanana Valley Farmers' Market, has strong variety for its size and a fair-like feel.
Missing Home on the Shelves
by Peter Pierson The books of my past remind me of the things that I have either lost or left behind.
The Missionary Position on Happiness
by Neal Matson The Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan measures —and aims to increase—the country's Gross National Happiness, by examining good governance, balanced economic development, environmental preservation, and preserving and promoting Bhutan culture.
Refurbished Firehouse: The Grand Opening
by D. Helfferich The dedication ceremony for the expanded Ester Volunteer Fire Department station house brought out EVFD founders, small children, and Esteroids keen on the wellbeing of the department.
Swings of Fairbanks, Alaska: An Evaluation of the Fairbanks Area Park Swings
a study by Joel Hales (with Dwight Hales) This careful analysis of the quality of swings in twenty-one Fairbanks and Nenana parks gives number of swings, a score for swing quality and action, a score for the park, and commentary.
A Tribute to Robert Truett of Ester
by Ritchie Musick The fire department and the community of Ester owe a lot to the passion and dedication of this quiet man.
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