Kucinich back on the stump
Former Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich will stump for Sen. John Kerry today on Bainbridge, urging party faithful to close ranks on Nov. 2.
“Everything we’ve worked for is on the line,” Kucinich said in an interview Friday, citing progressive efforts against war, nuclear proliferation and insurance companies’ hold over health care. “George W. Bush is dismantling what FDR, Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Clinton and Jimmy Carter worked for.”
As chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the fourth-term Ohio Representative was widely considered the most left-leaning of the Democratic presidential contenders. He focused his campaign on universal health care, ending the war in Iraq and repealing the U.S. Patriot Act.
Kucinich said his goal today is not to preach to the Democratic choir – it’s to galvanize Bainbridge progressives and turn their attention to off-island efforts.
“Progressives in Bainbridge can energize progressives all over the state,” he said.
Kucinich drew a crowd of more than 300 on his visit to the island in July 2003. While falling short of his party’s nomination, he pushed on as Kerry locked up nominations and others dropped out.
Kucinich speaks today at 10 a.m. at the Bainbridge High School LGI Room. Rep. Jay Inslee will introduce Kucinich. The event is free and open to the public.
– Tristan Baurick
Fund-raiser for a Furrytale
Heather Ross brought a dog she found to Furrytale Farm in August, and learned the no-kill animal sanctuary might not be around much longer.
The news galvanized Ross to organize a Nov. 6 dinner and auction fund-raiser at the Wing Point Golf and Country Club, to help the farm that takes in abandoned and abused animals.
“People have been marvelous in donating things,” said Suzannah Sloan, executive director of 8-acre Furrytale Farm tucked back from Lovgreen Road.
For five years, Sloan was able, through her earnings as an author, to support the dogs, potbellied pigs and horses “discarded” after injuries made them unrideable and only good for “pasture pets.”
But with the downturn in the economy, she says publishers don’t want to sign a contract without seeing the manuscript first.
“We need to get through the next two years, because it’s two years to the next book contract,” she said.
Supporters urged Sloan to take the farm “public” and appeal to citizens for help; Furrytale Farm became a nonprofit in April.
It will take time before the farm receives grant funding, and even then, Sloan says many programs consider $5,000 a large grant – a sum that doesn’t come close to the farm’s needs. What it needs is a large endowment; it takes $200,000 a year to sustain the animals.
“Animals here are old, sick, injured and in need of special care,” Sloan said. “All the animals need medication of one kind or another.”
Ruben, a gentle 22-year-old donkey, nuzzles up to visitors. He was rescued from starvation, but suffers from a pituitary gland disease that requires daily medication – costing $20 a day. In all, Sloan estimates that vet bills and medication cost $70,000 a year.
Besides rescuing animals, the farm began intern and educational programs through area schools that started this past summer, teaching children what abuse is and what it means to take responsibility for an animal.
“If you get to people, especially young, to respect animals and interact with them one-on-one, they won’t go on to abuse animals or people,” she said.
The dinner and auction for Furrytale Farm will be 5:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Wing Point Golf and Country Club. Tickets are $65 each for a champagne reception with appetizers, dinner and silent and live auctions; call 842-1944.
Going for 5.8 million kicks
This weekend, Westsound Taekwondo is hosting a celebration of the third National Martial Arts Day, for which Mayor Darlene Kordonowy will present a city proclamation supporting the school on Fletcher Bay Road.
Owner Jose Lugo says the open house will feature free Taekwondo mini-classes and demonstrations for children and adults.
The studio opened this past February at Island Center.
Lugo, who is also the master instructor and fourth degree black belt, has been teaching Taekwondo for 10-12 years and has coached for national and international events for the Washington State Juniors team.
Taekwondo is a martial art developed in Korea and introduced in the U.S. in the early 1960s. It became an Olympic competitive sport in 2000. The focus is on general health and self-defense.
The school will also be one of many nationwide participating in Project Action’s kick-a-thon, aiming to break the world record of 5.8 million kicks in one hour.
The center provides disadvantaged and “at risk” children the chance to obtain training in the physical and cultural arts of dance, gymnastics and martial arts.
Westsound Taekwondo will host an open house from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at its studio, 8780 Fletcher Bay Road, Suite B. The kick-a-thon will be from 10-11 a.m. For more information, call 842-2760 or (360) 649-4422.
– Tina Lieu
