The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Two developments among the Colville Confederated Tribes are encouraging because they should mean the creation of many local jobs.

The first is still in the entrepreneurial realm of risk, but could pay off. The tribal effort to develop a crop other than trees to grow on its land, and to do it with what could become a growth industry product, has great possibilities.

Hemp can yield many useful products but was outlawed in this country in the 1930s along with its psychotropic cousin, marijuana. By taking advantage of more enlightened changes in the law, the Colvilles join a handful of other businesses across the country seeking new profit potential. The effort even has the potential to grow into a manufacturing, as well as agricultural, venture.

The second development is the news that the Colvilles will get federal help in rebuilding their forests, devastated in the largest wildfires in the history of the state in 2015. Nearly $4 million should mean wages for people employed in the project.

Turning from economics to what makes culture worthwhile, let us note two chances to enjoy art and music.

If you used to play an instrument but have no one to play it with, consider helping out the high school pep band. Karen Pace, the music teacher at Lake Roosevelt Schools, wants to make the school’s pep band a community effort, and you’re invited. Getting involved in the community in such an enjoyable way, helping boost school spirit and the music program, has got to be a better use of your time than anything on TV.

If your tastes and talents regarding music are more passive, you can still check out a free art show, complete with live music, at North Dam Park on Saturday. For the last couple years, the show sponsored by the Northwest Native Development Fund has put forth some beautiful art, and this year they’re adding live music. The Saturday event should be even more enjoyable in the shade of North Dam Park.

Scott Hunter

editor and publisher