Being environmentally sensitive for most of us might be having a vegetable garden and recycling the trash. It is quite another thing to actually make your own fuel — with your bare hands. A group of Islanders do more about their greenhouse gas emissions than just buying a car with higher gas mileage. A story in this issue describes the steps in creating a vehicle-worthy alternative fuel, which is actually being performed by your neighbors.
Did you know that some of the social studies textbooks used by the Mercer Island public schools are 20 years old? Published before the reunification of Germany and the collapse of the Soviet Union, they are so out-of-date that replacements can no longer be obtained. On top of this, state funding for new curriculum adoption is severely limited.
What could be better than digging up worms in the garden and taking each of them on a special ride in your swing? But it is just another day in the life of my 3-year-old — simple pleasure exploring the wonders outside.
Even though the Puget Sound region has been largely able to resist the effect of the national slowdown caused by higher prices and shaky financial markets, there are signs that the fever has begun to seep in. Real estate markets are losing strength. A loaf of bread costs $3, and energy costs loom large. Prices at the pump continue to climb. Electricity and natural gas prices are also higher. Those prices have crept up – a few percent here, a cost adjustment there – adding up to higher utility bills.
The Mercer Island School District Board of Directors has chosen a new superintendent of schools. Interim Superintendent Gary Plano was chosen this past week over two other highly-qualified finalists. Plano has been serving as the interim superintendent since Dr.. Cyndy Simms resigned last summer. Prior to his appointment as interim, Plano was the associate superintendent of instruction, taking over from long-time Mercer Island School District administrator, John Cameron. Cameron worked with Plano for a year before he retired.
Bo Darling
Island Forum
Expect excellence! It is the phrase we use to characterize the Mercer Island School District. Excellence does not happen by accident. It takes effort, energy and engagement.
Rev. Dale Sewall
Island Forum
Jennifer Butler
Shelly Shay
Emery Eckert
Angi Blehm
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