You’re reading The Husk's Friday edition, our Weekender, a countdown/roundup of miscellanea from Micronesia, Guam, and Earth.

…trash things¹

• I read this story about how folks in Bali are calling on people to trade their plastic trash for rice. They’re then selling the trash to recycling companies.

• The Guam Green Growth initiative announced it will soon open its Makerspace in CHamoru Village to the public. In the space, people can use different tools to upcycle trash and make it into treasure. This is so cool. People can also buy products made in the Makerspace, starting next week.

• I learned about a thing called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.² And recently, scientists found plants and animals have started to live on it.

…things about governors in Micronesia

• Yap’s new governor, Jesse John Salalu, was sworn in.

• CNMI lawmakers sent a resolution calling for the impeachment of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.

…correction

• I shared a Pacific Island Times story a few months ago that had the headline that a military base would be built in FSM. The Kaselehlie Press refutes that headline in a recent issue, with an article titled, “No the US and the FSM have NOT agreed to build a military base in the FSM.” See page 3 of the Dec. 28, 2021 issue of the Kaselehlie Press.

Happy Friday, friend! I hope the first seven days of 2022 for you were exceptional and pleasant.

A note:

Gerry Partido, a journalist on Guam who I had the honor of working for in my years as an intern and then as a cub reporter, passed away. Mar-Vic Cagurangan, publisher of the Pacific Island Times, wrote this piece in his memory.

As far as newsroom personalities go, Gerry was among the few who were always friendly. As we’d work on the stories of the day, something would inevitably lead one of us to raise an eyebrow or roll our eyes, which would then lead to discussion and banter, and Gerry’s takes, I thought, were always critical, insightful, and delivered affably. Rest in peace, Gerry. You will be missed.