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Category Archives: Islands

Islands on I-293 get sprucing up in Manchester

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MANCHESTER Traffic islands at the I293 interchange at Granite Street are getting a sprucing up as city parks workers remove ovregrown weeds that have crowded out the flowering perennials and shrubs.

A crew began clearing the three islands and median strip Friday and should be finished with the landscaping makeover by the end of next week, said Peter Capano, chief of the parks division within the citys Highway Department.

The clean up is partly the result of a nudge from West Side resident Jane E. Beaulieu.

Beaulieu said she began alerting highway and parks officials they were not maintaining the median and islands at the Exit 5 interchange as they were supposed to under an agreement with the state.

They signed off on the project saying they would maintain it and they dropped the ball, said the Ward 10 state representative and former city conservation commission member.

Capano said the neglect was partly due to lack of staff, who devoted most of their time during the summer and early fall to maintaining high-traffic parks and athletic fields.

We were planning to go there. It was on our radar, Capano said.

He said crews should be done clearing the site of weeds, making room for perennials and shrubs and bringing in bark mulch by Friday.

Its amazing what one taxpayer can do to make things happen in our city, Beaulieu said.

Capano said the city relies on the volunteer Adopt-a-Site program to enlist individuals, groups and businesses to help keep parks maintained. But he said the Exit 5 interchange with its multiple traffic lanes and highway ramps is too dangerous to allow individuals to tend. A professional landscaping firm, however, would be able to handle the job, he said. Anyone interested should contact Jessica Chambers at the parks office at 624-6444.

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Islands on I-293 get sprucing up in Manchester

Governor-General to visit Niue and the Cook Islands

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The Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, is to visit Niue and the Cook Islands later this week to reaffirm New Zealands close ties with the two South Pacific nations.

The Cook Islands and Niue are self-governing in free association with New Zealand and, along with the territory of Tokelau and the Ross Dependency, form part of the wider Realm of New Zealand.

The Governor-General and Lady Janine Mateparae will leave New Zealand for Niue on 18 October before travelling to the Cook Islands on 20 October, and returning to New Zealand on 24 October.

Sir Jerry Mateparae said the visit was an opportunity to reinforce the ties between New Zealand and Niue and the Cook Islands.

"New Zealand, Niue and the Cook Islands are partners in the Realm of New Zealand. We are bound together in an enduring relationship that is founded on our close constitutional ties, a shared Polynesian heritage, a shared history and a common citizenship. In 2014 Niue marks 40 years of self-government in free association while the Cook Islands will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2015," he said.

"What gives the relationships with Niue and the Cook Islands their fundamental strengths, however, are the many cultural, economic, family and people-to-people links. New Zealanders are increasingly travelling to both nations for holidays while many Cook Islanders and Niueans have chosen to live in New Zealand and make a significant contribution to our economy and society."

Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae will provide high-level representation at the celebrations on 19 October marking Niues 39th Constitution Day, the anniversary of the establishment of self-government in free association with New Zealand in 1974. The centrepiece of the celebrations will be the Flag-Raising Ceremony, where the Governor-General will give an address reaffirming the special nature of the bilateral relationship and the unique ties that bind New Zealand and Niue. While in Niue, the Governor-General will also promote New Zealands support to build the Niuean economy, particularly in tourism.

In Rarotonga, Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae will call on the Queens Representative and other political and chiefly leaders. The Governor-General will also receive a full ceremonial welcome at Atupare Marae, during which he will be honoured with the Tapu of the Kiriti-Maro-Tai ceremony. This is a significant honour and underscores the close cultural links between the Cook Islands Mori and New Zealand Mori.

Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae will also visit a number of projects in Rarotonga that are being supported by New Zealand. They will also visit one of the outer islands, Mauke, where the Governor-General will unveil a new war memorial and attend a wreath laying ceremony as well as learning of assistance provided by the New Zealand Aid Programme.

The flights between New Zealand, Niue and the Cook Islands will be provided by the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

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Governor-General to visit Niue and the Cook Islands

Australian, Japanese miners seek resolution on Solomon Islands nickel rights

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ABC The companies say a nickel mine on Isabel Island could be 10 times the size of Solomon Islands' biggest current mine

A major court case in Solomon Islands is seeking to resolve a long-running dispute between Australian and Japanese companies over nickel rights on Santa Isabel island.

Japanese company Sumitomo and Australian miner Axiom are appearing at Honiara court house to argue they each have the right approval to start mining rich veins of nickel bearing ore.

Sumitomo began prospecting first, but a deal between landowner groups and Axiom has landed the rights in dispute and in court.

Sumitomo and Axio both claim support of different landowner groups, while another landowning company has also sent its own representation.

Australian judge, John Brown, who has extensive experience in Melanesia, has been brought in to hear the case.

Lawyers say it is exceptionally important to determine issue of land-ownership and processes around starting future mining operations.

The Solomon Islands has one operating gold mine - Gold Ridge in Guadalcanal.

During a visit to Japan, Sumitomo told Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo the mine on Isabel could be ten times the size of Gold Ridge.

The Solomon Islands Government believes that once this case is resolved the country has a bright mining future.

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Australian, Japanese miners seek resolution on Solomon Islands nickel rights

Solomon Islands Opens High Commission In Kuala Lumpur

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KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Solomon Islands opened its high commission office here today, marking a new chapter in Malaysia-Solomon Islands bilateral relations to provide greater impetus to the relations for mutual benefits.

In a statement here, the foreign ministry said the diplomatic mission was opened by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo. Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman was guest of honour.

The visit of the Solomon Islands prime minister is in conjunction with the opening of the country's high commission office in Malaysia.

This is Solomon Islands' ninth diplomatic mission established worldwide since its independence in 1978.

According to the statement, Anifah welcomed the Solomon Islands Government's decision to open its first diplomatic mission in South East Asia, assuring that Malaysia was committed to work closely with Solomon Islands, to promote bilateral collaborations in all sectors.

He said Lilo's visit was a milestone in Malaysia-Solomon Islands bilateral relations and was indeed timely, as Malaysia embarked to strengthen and expand further its cooperation, beyond the scope of the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme.

Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Solomon Islands was established in 1988.

Anifah also underscored several potential areas that both countries could tap into, namely education, fisheries and tourism, respectively, as well as encourage people-to-people contacts through exchanges of visits and private sector links.

He also offered to share Malaysia's development agenda through the Government Transformation Programme.

Anifah also requested for Solomon Islands' support as Malaysia was vying for the Non-Permanent Seat in the United Nations Security Council for 2015-2016.

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Solomon Islands Opens High Commission In Kuala Lumpur

Stamper named director of Red Cross Islands Chapter

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Mike Stamper, newly appointed executive director of Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross.

image credit: Contributed photo

Guemes Island Fire Chief Mike Stamper has been named executive director of the Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross.

His tenure at the top post local Red Cross chapter began Sept. 30.

Chief of Guemes Island fire department since 2008, Stamper has been a firefighter and emergency medical technician in Skagit County for more than two decades. A former technology coordinator for Anacortes High School, he was also the school's athletic trainer and has been a writer and editor for 37 years, and has had professional administrative position with several small non-profits, a nature center and museum as well.

The Red Cross is a crucial player in emergency response and preparedness in our diverse group of island communities, Stamper said in a press release, and I look forward to meeting the people, businesses and agencies that help keep our communities resilient. I am excited to have the opportunity to bring together my colleagues in the fire service and Red Cross communities in a way that improves emergency response for every person in the Islands Chapter.

The Islands Chapter serves Whidbey, Fidalgo and the San Juan islands, and a small section of La Conner. The chapters main office is in Anacortes, 2900 T Avenue, with a satellite facility on the Seaplane Base in Oak Harbor.

In 2012, The Islands Chapter assisted 29 families affected by home fires and other emergencies, and provided emergency communications and other assistance for over 400 military families through Red Crosss Service to Armed Forces Programs. Both services are provided predominantly by volunteers.

We are delighted to have someone of Mikes wide experience working with us on Red Cross issues of community preparedness and response, volunteer recruitment, and Service to the Armed Forces, said Barbara Atterberry, chairwoman of The Islands Chapter board of directors. I know his talents will greatly benefit the community and our many Red Cross volunteers.

For more about the American Red Cross Islands Chapter, or to volunteer, get training or make a donation, visit, http://www.redcross.org.

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Stamper named director of Red Cross Islands Chapter

Eurogamer Presents: Games for Women – Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure – Video

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Eurogamer Presents: Games for Women - Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure
Eurogamer Presents: Games for Women - Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure Eurogamer #39;s Ellie Gibson presents a gaming walkthrough so simple that even women sh...

By: Eurogamer

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Eurogamer Presents: Games for Women - Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure - Video


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