Last night’s Luau for Nick Wilson-Codega was absolutely spectacular. From the decorations – leis draped on every chair, pineapples marching down the rows of tables, paper parrots and flowers and frou-frou – to the food which was plentiful and delicious (they went “whole hog” in every meaning of the expression!) it was fabulous. But best of all was the outpouring of support from the Community. That’s the Greater Community, Community with a Capital C – the people from one end of the Peninsula to the other who wanted to show their concern and their hope for Nick and his future.

Nyel and I estimate that well over the hoped-for 200 people were there. Even though the storm was raging outside, folks were parking a block and more away, arriving to stand in a line that snaked all around the dining area from the serving tables past the lobby and backed up to the door to the ladies’ room. And loud! Oh my! Everyone knew someone and the visiting was nonstop. In the background, scarcely heard, was music by Brian O’Conner and, later, by Fred Carter who smiled and sang, apparently unbothered by the cacophony around them.

It all added to the ambience and the overall good wishes for Nick, the Oysterville “kid” who learned last Spring that he has esophageal cancer, stage four. He’s 28 and now living in Seattle. Last night’s fundraiser was not only a tribute to Nick but a showing of community solidarity for one of our own. Thanks to organizers Ed and Catherine Ketel and Jeff and Karen Harrell, the Lost Roo, Oceanside Animal Clinic and Peninsula Pharmacies – it was phenomenal!

This morning we were still basking in the afterglow when I went online and realized that it was Wednesday and the Observer is out… or is it? The headline in the online addition is: Marijuana Ads Fire Up Controversy and the article begins: Confusion over whether the U.S. Postal Service can mail the Chinook Observer and other newspapers with marijuana advertising will reach the desk of the postmaster general…

From the sublime to the ridiculous, I say. I can’t quite wrap my head around why community advertisements in a community newspaper concerning a community-sanctioned enterprise have to be such a Big Deal. The Really Really Big Deal is this community’s capacity for caring. I do believe that ads for pot are the least of our worries… Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mr. Postmaster General.