For the past year I've had a practicum and done my student teaching in a Creative Writing classroom at Sehome High School in Bellingham, WA, and have had the honor of befriending Liam Wood, a student and avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish and kayak, and for his fewer years knew much more than I about the local hatches, runs, and slots. Liam worked at H+H Sporting Goods here in town, and regularly fished both sides of the Cascades. I loved reading his tales of the local waterways. He graduated a week or so ago, and I saw him once since then, but sadly he was killed this past Thursday in the pipeline explosion in Whatcom Falls Park. He was up fishing Whatcom Creek, and died, as it were, with his waders on. There will be a memorial service at 6:00 pm Monday, June 14, at Boulevard Park here in Bellingham, and I would strongly encourage patrons of H+H Sporting Goods to express their condolences...never have I met a young man so of that drive, that dedication to the piscatorial pursuit. Farewell, Liam.

My condolences to the friends and family of Liam. what a sad state of affairs that whole tragedy was. And to think they want a second pipeline through there. Surely there is a better way.