The recent expansion of Navy training activities in the Northwest has many local residents concerned. Community members on Whidbey Island, the San Juans, and the Olympic Peninsula are disturbed by an increase in noise caused by new EA-18G “Growler” jets based at Naval Air Station Whidbey (NAS)—and a significant proposed expansion of daily Growler test flights. On Whidbey, communities have been additionally impacted by water system pollution caused by chemicals used for firefighting on NAS landing strips.

The new 30-minute film PLANE TRUTHS explores a variety of perspectives on these issues from farmers, current and retired military personnel, environmentalists and other citizens of the affected areas. Viewers will learn how the noise of the Growler jets has affected daily life and business operations in many communities, the regional environmental impacts of expanded Growler flights and newly approved Navy training in Olympic National Forest, potential economic ramifications of increased Navy activity and associated population growth, and the status of—and Navy response to—water system pollution on Whidbey Island.

Please join Meaningful Movies : Sustainable Ballard for a screening of “Plane Truths” on Sunday, October 28 @ 5:30pm at Bauhaus Strong Coffee, 2001 NW Market Street, along with another short film, “Cultivating Kids”. We invite you to stay after the film for a presentation and discussion led by the filmmakers, Mark Dworkin & Melissa Young (Moving Images), who are veteran documentary producers, with prestigious awards from CINE, Houston, Columbus, Prix Leonardo, International Wildlife, Women in Film/Seattle, Chicago, NW Film and Video Festivals.

Meaningful Movies : Sustainable Ballard Screenings are free, but we gratefully accept donations to help offset the costs of acquiring the films we screen. Suggestion: $5.