Dave Kiffer - Alaskan Poet, Historian, Humorist

  SOUTHEAST LOG 3-20-21 If at first you don't succeed.... HAINES - A dozen people have applied to be the new Haines borough manager including the person who has been acting manager, borough clerk Alekka Fullerton, and the former manager, Deborah Schnable, who was fired last year by the Assembly. THE CHILKAT VALLEY NEWS Officials: Helo crash cause unclear STEWART - Transportation officials say they may never why a helicopter flew into a mountain near the Nickel Mountain mine north of Stewart last year killing the pilot. The helicopter did not have a "black box" recording flight data. Officials think that a sudden rainstorm may have made it difficult for the pilot to see, but that there were no mechanical issues with the helicopter. THE PRINCE RUPERT NORTHERN VIEW Three finalists for Barlett CEO JUNEAU - The chief nursing officer at Bartlett Regional Hospital is one of the three finalists for hospital CEO position. In additio...

  OUTHEAST LOG 3-13-21 Bacteria noted in Wrangell Narrows PETERSBURG - State monitors have determined there are higher than normal levels of fecal coliform at several sites in Wrangell Narrows near town. The highest levels were at the North Boat Harbor and the South Boat Harbor. THE PETERSBURG PILOT Railway cuts jobs SKAGWAY - The White Pass and Yukon railway announced that two dozen jobs have been "abolished" for 2021 because operations will be seriously curtailed by a lack of cruise ships this summer. Among the jobs cut are coach cleaners, trackmen, diesel mechanics and heavy equipment operators.  THE SKAGWAY NEWS A 100-person Zoom call? PRINCE RUPERT - Five generations of Bobby Brown's family gathered together online, COVID style, last week. Brown, a lifelong area fisherman who was born in Masset, turned 95 recently. He has 12 children, 52 grandchildren, 77 great grandchildren and 21 great-great children. THE PRINCE RUPERT NORTHERN VIEW Town centennial ...

  A Groundhog Sees His Shadow   I can’t remember How many times We broke up   How many times We made up Either   Obviously It was an Unequal number   Sometimes We did both The same day   It just happened One more time In an REM dream   But the feeling Was the same, At least for me.   I can’t remember How many times We broke up   But they Were all Your idea  

  MUTT NELSON ROAD   (copyright 2021, by Dave Kiffer)   There was a time when all the places On this mostly empty road Weren’t worth what it now costs To put up a tin-sided shed.   It’s still a dirt drive out here, And the dust settles on everything. There’s no broom that can sweep it Into these million-dollar bins.   This is the subdivision of space, And the “you can see ‘em coming” By the dust devils that rise From the exhausts of fancy cars.   The realtor would suggest a cul-de-sac But the cement ponds will only fill so far Before the wind rises to scour them Back to the aggregate that arrived here Pebble by pebble, one sandstorm at a time.

  False Start   The yellow crocus Pushed the dirt aside And launched into space.   Then winter returned Bending it back Into its own heart.   Leaving for now, Hope and innocence Buried under the snow