‘Good Things Happen’

John Kulstad

To the Editor:

I had the pleasure of working with Mary Burke when I was chair of the McKinleyville Community Services District Parks & Recreation Committee and Mary served as MCSD liaison to this committee. In my experience, Mary was always prepared, knowledgeable and creative in her work for our community.

Mary is the type of person who can make good things happen.

Mary cares deeply about the environment in our community, and was instrumental in getting the trails, landscape and ecological improvements completed for the Mad River County Park area off School Road. It is a beautiful addition to the beauty of our area.

Mary Burke will be a wonderful representative for District 5 on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors and I hope you will join me in supporting her when you vote.

John Kulstad, McKinleyville

July 2026 - America's 250th Birthday, News

Declaring Our Independence

Compiled by Michael Pazeian

June 26, 2026

In the early 1770s, American colonists became convinced that the English Parliament intended to take away their freedoms. In fact, the Americans saw a pattern of increasing oppression and corruption all around the world. Indeed, the British were determined to bring their unruly American subjects to heel and b...

July 2026 - America's 250th Birthday, News

While the Caissons Go Rolling Along

By Allan Katz

June 26, 2026

I can still sing the battle songs of every branch of America’s armed forces. I am also usually the only person in our crowd who, when we gather around the Christmas tree, knows the words to the second verse of just about every Christmas carol. I went to public school, had no religious education, but I’m prett...

Columnists, Jennifer Heidmann's Column

ASK THE DOCTOR: The Last Straw

BY JENNIFER HEIDMANN, M.D.

June 26, 2026

It can be hard to believe that we have any power to change the course of climate change. Each time I get one of those soggy paper straws with my smoothie, I am reminded why we love plastic so much. How can it make any difference to use just one plastic straw? Maybe it cannot. But during this Plastic-Free July...

Columnists, John Heckel's Column

Aging is an Art — By John Heckel

AGING IS AN ART: I’m Sorry

June 26, 2026

As an elder Baby Boomer, I want and need to apologize. I could list the various generations, but let me simplify and address my apology to all current and future-not-yet-named-generations that are dealing with or will have to deal with the consequences of my actions or, more often, my lack of actions. I am so...