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Citizens File Petition to Place County in GMA Invalidity

County-wide building moratorium could be imposed

posted 05/09/2008
PRESS RELEASE: On May 7, 2008 citizens filed a petition with the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board seeking to have a finding of invalidity against San Juan County for noncompliance with the Growth Management Act concerning sewer service in Eastsound on Orcas Island. The named petitioner is Stephen F. Ludwig, an Orcas resident, and the petition filing is signed by Dorothy Austin.

A finding of invalidity would mean the county would be prohibited from issuing building permits, at a minimum within the Eastsound Urban Growth Area. MORE INFORMATION


Busy weekend ahead

Meet scientists and students and check out the research and teaching facilities at the UW Friday Harbor Labs between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10 during the annual Open House. There will be posters, marine plants and animals, microscopes, plankton sampling and observations, and activities for visitors of all ages. MORE INFORMATION

Check out the CALENDAR and the THINGS to DO page for a list of this weekend's activities which range from orchid sales to musicals.


Recreation in the San Juan Islands:
Scuba Diving

By Jim Carroll

Thought for the day: "If I was any happier, I'd be two people."

posted 05/09/2008
I find myself living in the middle of a place that other people make a concerted effort to get to for vacation. My job is taking care of a lovely little bit of that area, including a small marina, a pool, some roads and a brand new house, all of which are mine to use as well. The people that I work for are great, and treat me like family. Talk about fat, dumb, and happy - and these are not three of Snow White's little people to whom I refer. This is me, myself and I.

Not long after moving here I found this online resource wherein YOU have found this article. Having built and maintained a few websites, I thought it was marvelously current and well done. Several of the columnists were very entertaining, and I struck up a conversation with one of them online. Before I knew it, I had my own column! OK, so now I was REALLY happy about life here in the San Juans. A wonderful partner, a great job, and now a custom SOAPBOX from which to pontificate. This is pretty much the Leo/Dragon dream. It couldn't really get any better, could it? Well, I'm glad you asked – and yes, it can.

Sharon recently asked me to consider writing a Friday article about "things to do in the area", with an emphasis on the outdoors. "Cool!" I immediately replied. "What kinds of things?" "Well, how about hiking and biking and outdoor stuff?" and to that I replied "OK, and what about scuba diving and whale watching and motorcycle riding?" "Sure', she replied. "and don't forget to visit the market and check out the parks and...." Well, you get the idea. So here it comes. COLUMN


Three Lobos, two Vikings advance to girls state golf tourney

posted 05/09/2008
Three Lopez Island golfers and two Orcas Island players will be teeing off at the Class 1B/2B State Golf Championship at Lake Padden Golf Course in Bellingham May 20-21. Lopez finished second in the team standings and Orcas placed fourth at the Quad-District Tournament Thursday, May 8 at Gallery Golf Course at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

Orcas freshman Melissa Moran-Hodge finished sixth with 101. Lopez senior Randi Ritchie placed eighth with a 107. Orcas junior Cetacea Stanton came in 14th with a 119. Lobo junior Emily PostvanderBurg was one stroke back and came in 15th. Lopez junior Sydney Hoffman was the last player to make the top 16 to cut-off for a state berth. She shot a 122.

The results of other island girls competing at Quad-District are: Lisa Vaughn, Lopez, 18th, 126; Maddy Smith, Orcas, 20th, 128; Adayla Buchanan, 22nd, 134; Helen O'Brien, Lopez, 25th, 137.


Taylor, Price, Pouillion place 2nd, 3rd, 5th at sub-district golf championship

posted 05/09/2008
Six Friday Harbor golfers finished in the Sub-District 1's top 21 and are advancing to the state-qualifying Boys Bi-District Golf Tournament next week at Fort Lewis.

Jordyn Taylor shot a 2-under-par 74, missed medalist honors by a stroke and placed second at the district tourney at Avalon Golf Course Thursday, May 8. Cody Price cut eight strokes off his front-nine score of 42 andfinished a stroke behind his teammate at 75, good for third place. Sam Pouillion was fifth with a 78.

Micah Reitan turned in a 94 for 17th place. Tug Turnage lopped eight strokes off his front-nine tally of 51 and concluded play with a 19th-place 94. Tyler McKee was 20th with a 98.


Viking Fastpitch Team Takes #2 In League

posted 05/09/2008
Orcas Island High School Girls softball team's double win against La Conner secured second place for the Lady Vikings in the league. The team will play in Tri-Districts Tuesday, May 13 by hosting Quilcene. Time is still to be determined.


Orcas Island wins Tri-District Golf Tourney; five boys earn state berths

Five Orcas Island golfers advanced to the state tournament after finishing in the top 10 and winning the team title at the Boys Class 1B/2B Tri-District Tournament Wednesday, May 7 at Gallery Golf Course at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island winning the team title.

Lopez Island was eighth in the team standings.

Orcas tallied 170 team points -- 17 points better than runner-up La Conner. Lopez Island scored 29.

The top 22 Tri-District golfers earn beths to the state tournament May 20-21 at Lake Padden Golf Course in Bellingham.

Sophomore Taylor Diepenbrock placed fourth with an 83. Senior Anthony Ghazel also shot an 83 and was sixth. Sophomore Henri Bredouw cut his first-nine score of 45 by six strokes and finished seventh with an 84. Senior Roy Miller was ninth with an 87 and Alan Coe came in 10th with an 89.

Lopez senior Jordan Smith finished 27th with a 99. The other Lobo golfers, their place and scores are: junior Kevin Dengler, 34th, 108; senior Noah Dretske, 36th, 110; junior Josh Cook, 47th, 121; and sophomore Colton Jardine, 48th, 125.



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$275K "Challenge Gift"
made to SJI school district

posted 05/07/2008
PRESS RELEASE: Local donors have coordinated together to make a $275,000 "Challenge Gift" to the San Juan Island School District to mitigate anticipated program reductions due to a $600,000 operating fund shortfall projected for 2008-09. Under the leadership of the San Juan Island Community Foundation (San Juan Island's publicly supported philanthropic organization), five local donors are working together to provide a community incentive to raise the additional funds necessary to address the budget shortfall.

Charles Anderson, chair of the San Juan Island Community Foundation Board, said, "These donors are committed to ensuring that our schools will continue to provide an outstanding education on San Juan Island." He is optimistic that other donors will also step forward to preserve our school programs and recognize the importance of education to a healthy community. MORE INFORMATION


Lynden Christian softball team beats Friday Harbor

Lynden Christian defeated Friday Harbor 10-2 Tuesday, May 7 in non-league softball action. The Wolverines next host Coupeville in a loser-out Class 1A Sub-District contest at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 9. The winner advances to double-elimination play Saturday, May 10 at Janicki Field in Sedro-Woolley.


Chip Seal Work to Begin on Orcas May 12

posted 05/07/2008
Weather permitting; the San Juan County Public Works department will begin resurfacing nearly 27 miles of roads on Orcas Island beginning on Monday, May 12. There will be a total of 13 non-rainy working days of chip sealing and an additional 3-5 days spent applying a finishing coat of emulsion, called "fog seal," to the road’s surface. If there are no serious rain delays, the work is expected to be completed by June 3.

Maintenance is performed on County roads on a 6-12 year cycle with 25-30 miles resurfaced each year. To increase efficiency and reduce time lost in transporting equipment and supplies, this year the County has begun doing all of its maintenance resurfacing on a single island each year. (Next year Lopez will get all of the attention, San Juan Island’s turn will come in 2010.) All 21 members of the county’s road crew have been assigned to work on the Orcas chipsealing project.

Road crews will do more fog sealing this year than in the past. With the exception of a few experimental areas, all of the sections of road to be chipsealed on Orcas will be also be fog sealed – which means that a finishing coat of emulsion will be sprayed onto the road surface after the chipsealing is completed. Public Works senior project engineer Rachel Dietzman notes that fog sealing increases resurfacing costs by about 25 percent, but the County has found that it dramatically decreases the amount of gravel that comes loose from the seal, improves the appearance of the road striping and should increase its durability

The cost of the Orcas road project is expected to total $830,000.

Work will begin first on Sunset Avenue, then proceed to include portions of Obstruction Pass Road, E.J. Young Road, Point Lawrence Road, Olga Road, Rosario Road, Palisades Drive, Lindsay Way, Crescent Beach Drive, Montgomery Lane, Mt. Baker Road, Channel Road, Four Winds Road, Deer Harbor Road, Ralph Gott Road, Bartel Road, McNallie Lane, Dolphin Bay Road and Orcas Road.

A color coded map shows the roads and projected resurfacing dates on Orcas this year. Note that road crews cannot do chipsealing on rainy days, so this schedule is subject to change.


Bellevue Christian clips Friday Harbor 2-0 in baseball

posted 05/07/2008
Bellevue Christian clipped Friday Harbor 2-0 in Tri-District baseball action Wednesday, May 7. The Wolverines move to a loser-out game at Stanwood High School at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10 against Orting.

Border patrol agent faces hostile crowd in Eastsound

Tom Felber confronts Agent Joseph Giuliano about his treatment at the Anacortes ferry terminal.

posted 05/07/2008
Tuesday in Eastsound Deputy Chief Border Patrol Agent Joseph Giuliano faced a crowded room full of islanders armed with questions about the Border Patrol checkpoints at the Anacortes ferry terminal.

In response to a question about rumors that the Border Patrol plans, Giuliano said, "We do intend to increase our maritime presence. In other words get more boats and centers and man them to where we can create a deterrent around the islands and take the heat off some of the other options we are using now...Heard rumors about doing sweeps it's not going to happen."

EDITOR's NOTE: A more detailed story will be posted Thursday due to difficulties in confirming details of some of the accusations put forth in the testimony in time for today's deadline.

Councils drafting letters to Senators and Reps. about Border Patrol checkpoints

posted 05/06/2008
San Juan County Councilmember Kevin Ranker wants the Border Patrol to "Cease and desist or explain to us, why this needs to be done." His motion to send the draft letter to U.S. Senators Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen failed for a lack of a second during Tuesday, May 6 council meeting in Eastsound.

A draft letter written by Friday Harbor Mayor David Jones had been discussed during a council staff meeting on Monday, May 5. Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld presented the letter and said the Town Councilmembers had agreed to sign it. The council agreed the letter needed more work.

Councilmember Rich Peterson said he wouldn't sign the letter. "Not if it essentially gives the impression we're opposed to border checkpoints."

The council has spent time at several meetings in the past two months discussing the border patrol checkpoints at the Anacortes ferry terminal. Rosenfeld and Ranker have expressed concerns about the impact on the local economy if tourists decide not to travel to the islands because of the bad publicity. Both have been interviewed on NPR in the subject.

Dog Park project moving along

posted 05/07/2008
The Eddie & Friends Dog Park Steering Committee has raised 1/3 of the funds needed and site preparation and construction will begin soon on the dog park on Mullis Avenue in Friday Harbor.

"Strong community support is allowing us to move from the planning stage to action in making our dog park a reality," Said Lori Stokes, co-chair of the Steering Committee, "This is a very exciting step for our community." MORE INFORMATION


Friday Harbor softball team closes league play with win

Friday Harbor finished Northwest 1A/2B League softball action with a 17-7 clobbering of La Conner Tuesday, May 6. The league-champion Wolverines host Lynden Christian Wednesday, May 7.


Matthew Porter wins long jump,
triple jump and 400-meter sprint

posted 05/06/2008
Friday Harbor's Matthew Porter took titles in the long jump, triple jump and 400-meter sprint Tuesday, May 6 at the final Northwest A/B League meet of the season in La Conner. Wilson Shubert won the 800 run for the Wolverines and Gabe Scott finished fifth in the discus.

In girls action, Friday Harbor's Whitney Porter placed third in the 100 hurdles and Kelsey Barnes was fourth inthe shot put.


Vashon Island bounces Friday Harbor from soccer playoffs

posted 05/06/2008
Vashon Island vanquished Friday Harbor from this year's post-season action by edging the Wolverines 2-0 in the Bi-District Tournament Tuesday, May 6 at King's High School.


Klahowya elimnates San Juan from lacrosse tourney

posted 05/06/2008
Klahowya of Kitsap County ended the San Juan Dragons' winning streak and their season with a 10-6 victory in the first round of lacrosse playoffs Tuesday, May 6.


School budget crisis caused by state and local decisions

posted 05/06/2008
The $600,000 shortfall in the San Juan Island School District 2008-2009 budget is attributable to decisions by the state legislature and the local school board. FULL STORY


Plan review fees due at time of application beginning May 12

posted 05/06/2008
PRESS RELEASE: Collection of Plan Review Fees at Time of Building Permit Application Effective May 12, 2008, the Community Development and Planning Department, as directed by the Ordinance 492007, will begin implementing the collection of estimated Plan Review Fees at the time of Building Permit application. MORE INFORMATION

Fay Chaffee running for county Council

posted 05/05/2008
Fay Chaffee announces her candidacy for County Council, District 3, the Town of Friday Harbor. Chaffee moved to Friday Harbor from Colorado in 1991 and has spent the past ten years at the Community Development " Planning Department, the last eight as a Permit Coordinator.

The mother of two grown sons, Fay is originally from Portland, Oregon and has lived and worked in California, Colorado, and Hawaii. An entrepreneur at heart, she has owned a secretarial service, opened the first cookie store in Aspen, Colorado, and had a challenging career in Hawaii working as assistant to a hotel developer there. With the growth issues facing Friday Harbor and San Juan County, Fay believes that her experiences place her in a unique position to help resolve these issues. She plans on talking and listening to residents of both Friday Harbor and San Juan County, and is looking forward to addressing their concerns as a council member.

Fay plans to help steer San Juan County’s inevitable growth in positive ways, emphasizing open and honest government, and focusing on issues that affect the residents of the Town of Friday Harbor and San Juan County.


Donor found for Matt Johnson

Matt and his wife Jackie,(formerly Jackie King), also a FHHS graduate, and their four children, Dustin 7, Tesa 4, and twin girls Taylor and Jordan 15 months.


posted 05/03/2008
A donor has been found for Matt Johnson, the 1992 FHHS grad with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a rare blood disease. A 28-year-old female will donate bone marrow. A fundraiser is planned for May 17 at the county Fairgrounds to help pay for the medical costs not covered by insurance. FULL STORY


Four fall 80 feet, are injured when deck collapses

posted 05/03/2008
PRESS RELEASE: Four people standing at the edge of a wooden deck overlooking a steep incline near a quarry, fell 80 feet when the deck suddenly gave way Friday night. It was attached to a double-wide mobile home on Crestview Drive on San Juan Island near Miller Road. The deck landed on two of the people. Two of the injured were flown to mainland hospitals for treatment. The two others were treated and released at Inter Island Medical Center.

At 11:09 p.m. Friday night, May 2, 2008, emergency workers from San Juan Emergency Medical Services, San Juan Fire District 3 and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. According to witnesses, the victims ended up near the edge of the quarry.

The injured had been attending a small gathering at the residence. The deck, apparently gave way suddenly without any warning while the four individuals were standing on it. The cause for the collapse remains under investigation, though age and condition of the wood structure are considered major factors in the collapse. The events surrounding this incident are under investigation.


Agricultural Plastics Recycling May 17 on Lopez

posted 04/22/2008
Helen Venada of the San Juan County Solid Waste Division asks islanders to please save your plastic nursery pots and flats, baling twine, plastic soil amendment bags, and hay bale wrap. If the materials are dry and relatively clean (shake off any soil), they will be accepted FREE at this year's agricultural plastics recycling events from noon to 4 p.m. on the following dates:

  • Lopez Island: Saturday, May 17, County solid waste facility

IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO SORT YOUR NURSERY POTS BY NUMBER THIS YEAR. Please do stack them by size and shape to facilitate storing and transporting them. Turn soil amendment bags inside out to shake out any remaining contents.

Recycled agricultural plastics are used to make truck bed liners, drain pipe, plastic lumber for benches, posts and pilings, automotive parts, tool handles, and trash bags.


SJ Community Hospital Committee reporting on May 28 to District Board

posted 04/17/2008
Whether or not the population of San Juan Island can support a critical access 10-bed hospital focused on out-patient care will be revealed on May 28. Tom Cable, a member of the San Juan Community Hospital Committee, told the five-member SJI Hospital District Board the feasibility report would be ready to be discussed by the board's May meeting. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on May 28 in the Frank Wilson EMS building on Spring Street. As always the public is welcome to attend.


MORE STORIES

Home$tart Grants help families help themselves build homes

posted 04/28/2008Home Trust Awarded $525,000 in state CDBG funding

SJI student receives Kathryn W. Davis Peace Award

posted 04/25/2008
PRESS RELEASE: Council advances plan to authorize stormwater loan

posted 04/17/2008
Draft of Critical Areas Ordinance available

Spring Street International School's Spring Fling Auction May 10

Spring Street International School is hosting the annual "Spring Fling" auction from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at the San Juan Island Yacht Club. Spring Street International School is a highly regarded independent school that gives financial assistance to many of our island families. In order to do this, they count on funds generated by fundraising events such as the annual auction.


R.I.C.E those Sprains and Strains

posted 05/09/2008
So your doctor has told you that you have a sprain or a strain. A sprain is when the ligaments at a joint are stretched or damaged. A strain is when a muscle is pulled and injured. To get onto the road to recovery, remember to "R.I.C.E." that injury. COLUMN


Music Man onstage at San Juan Community Theatre
May 8-18

posted 05/08/2008
Meredith Willson’s "The Music Man", directed by SJCT’s Merritt Olsen, is filled with local talent: from the more than 50 actors and actresses to the talented musical orchestra directed by Dorothy Baker to the dazzling choreography by Linda Downes and Lisa Duke. MORE INFORMATION and PHOTOS


posted 05/08/2008
Depending upon your particular faith, you may believe that there have always been prophets among us. I share that belief, though I tend to find them among the contemporary poets. A truthful disclosure requires admitting that I am something of a cultural slob, and that the "poetry" with which I am most familiar is the work of the late twentieth century and new millennium lyricists. Though I do not have a single favorite, the work of Don Henley often resonates with clarity. His body of work encompasses a "take on things" that often concurs with my own, were I so eloquent. A favorite fragment that was in my head recently was: COLUMN


Barefoot in the Park onstage tonight

posted 05/01/2008
The Benefit Players present Neil Simon's best-loved romantic comedy, Barefoot in the Park. Opens May 1, 2008 the play will run weekends until May 18 (May 1, 2, 3, 4; 8, 9, 10, 11; 15, 16, 17 and 18). Sunday performances begin at 5 p.m. while the other nights begin at 7:30 p.m.

The local cast directed by Ed Strum includes Doug Schirmer as Paul Bratter, Kamala Chambers as Corie Bratter, Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso as Corie's mother, Ethel, and Dorian Oliver as the Bratter's eccentric upstairs neighbor, Victor. Marc Wynn and Ernest Pugh are also in the cast. MORE INFORMATION


Stuff for Sale!

Stuff. It is so easy to accumulate. Before you know it you have more than you can handle. And then what? If you are like most people you probably hold a garage sale, take a pile of stuff to the thrift store, or pass it all off to friends or family. And then at some point you simply throw stuff away or recycle it. Here at the library we face the same thing all the time, but as we are a public organization we need to be mindful of how we dispose of our stuff. We basically do the same thing as everyone else but are necessarily guided by Washington State code as well as our own internal policies. COLUMN


HOROSCOPES: Get It Done!

May 5 - 11, 2008

The New Moon in Taurus joins Venus (who rules Taurus) as we open the week. This will set the pace for being conservative with money and resources and encourage us to go for the best while maintaining what we have. It could also spur us into some luxuries not previously enjoyed before. In any case, May looks to be a very nice month! HOROSCOPES


Houston Taylor is a Real Hero

posted 05/05/2008
Houston Taylor, a Shaw Island resident who leads the Skagit Hospice team serving all of San Juan County, has been named a Real Hero by the Anacortes / San Juan Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross. He will be honored at the Real Heroes Breakfast on May 14 at the Northern Lights Casino in Anacortes. MORE INFORMATION


Extremes at Both Ends - Anorexia and Bulimia to Obesity

posted 05/05/2008
Sometimes it seems our world specializes in polarization. We have an epidemic of overweight people who are experiencing skyrocketing rates of diabetes, heart disease and other health problems. At the other end of the spectrum, eating-disorders like anorexia and bulimia also create significant health risks. Today we'll focus on the "thin extreme." COLUMN


NO USE WORRYING

My mother is an octogenarian. She lives alone in a four bedroom home that once housed six people. She has no desire to move out even though it far exceeds her needs and, at times, even her stamina to clean and maintain it. So when I heard on the national news that her state had been hit by its fourth round of tornadoes this spring, I was concerned. I am a strong believer in the adage that no news is good news. Still I needed reassurance. COLUMN


Birth Announcement: Charley Lawrence Sampson

Adam Sampson and Natalia Lawrence annouce the birth of their daughter Charley Sequoia Lawrence Sampson. She was born in the wee hours on April 23rd weighing in at 10 lbs. 9 oz. She joins the Sampson family of Whidbey Island and the Lawrence/Nash family of San Juan Island.


OBITUARY: H. Ramsay Milne

Born in South Africa to British parents on October 28, 1924, H. Ramsay Milne died in Friday Harbor, Washington on April 29, 2008. He was 83. He had lived on San Juan Island since 1994 after retiring from an award-winning journalism career in which he covered the beginning of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. OBITUARY


Anthony Crawford Richardson

Memorial Concert 4 p.m.
May 25 at Orcas Center

Anthony Crawford Richardson was born in Portland, Oregon on May 30, 1949. Anthony's early exposure to the interconnected worlds of science, nature and the spirit led him to a lifetime of exploring new ideas and invention. As a child he had a special connection to the natural world. OBITUARY



Move RIGHT for Siren and Lights

posted 05/02/2008

The island is certainly busier these days for public safety agencies. Our EMTs, firefighters and deputies want to get safely to an emergency and we need your help. Remember this simple phrase, MOVE RIGHT FOR SIREN & LIGHTS. COLUMN


Pillow goes green with blue truck

posted 04/30/2008
Brad Pillow of San Juan Island cut his gas bill to zero, reduced his carbon footprint, and took a chunk out of his ferry expenses by purchasing his electric truck. The bright blue Zaptruck goes 45 mph and has a range of 40 miles on a charge. "It costs a penny a mile to operate," Pillow said. STORY and PHOTOS

Kneipp takes off into retirement


Sharon Kivisto photo
Dave Moorhouse presents Dick Kneipp with a "a 1910 gold watch from another Mickey Mouse organization - American Motors Corporation" at Kneipp's retirement party last week. STORY


Who's Your Mommy

While it is not my objective to raise alarm, I fervently believe that some of you just didn't get the memo back in 2000. Many voters seemed to be laboring under the misguided impression that the governorship of Texas must produce leaders with savvy and keen executive skills. We are incubating another one for a presidential run with all the usual players and groomers even now, and while you are free to vote for whomever tickles your electoral fancy in 2012 or 2016, be advised that the spoils of any gubernatorial race in Texas do not necessarily go to the sharpest cheese on the cracker. COLUMN


Rekindling An Old Flame

posted 04/26/2008
Sometimes, love strikes when we least expect it. When I first saw her it was in a motorcycle shop in October of 1973. I was living in Portland Oregon and only a half a block from the BMW motorcycle dealer. I was just starting a new job. I had just bought a house. I was just married. COLUMN


Kirk honored at WSU

posted 04/23/2008
James B. Kirk received an Outstanding Student Award for construction management at Washington State University. Kirk is the president of the WSU chapter of Sigma Lambda Chi Fraternity, he is president of the Associated Students of Construction Management club at WSU and a member of the International Honor Society.

He graduated from Friday Harbor High School in 2000 and anticipates graduating from WSU with a degree in construction management in May 2009. He is the son of Sandi and Kevin Kirk from Friday Harbor.

Birth announcement: Else Ranker

Kevin Ranker and Tina Torri announced the birth of their daughter Else born Thursday, April 17. 2008. She weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces.

Rumor has it she was covering her ears in this photo because Dad was talking. At least that's what his fellow councilmembers said when Ranker showed the photo at Tuesday's county council meeting.

Girl Scouts has growing plans
for San Juan County

posted 04/22/2008
JGirl Scouts is making plans to organize new Girl Scout troops in San Juan County including Daisy level troops for girls who will be starting kindergarten or first grade in the 2008-09 school year.

"Dozens of girls are now participating in Girl Scouts on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan islands under the guidance of very dedicated volunteers, " says Judi Sladky from Girl Scouts Western Washington. "As the new Area Manager for San Juan County I hope to help more girls experience the fun, adventure and skill building that comes from being a Girl Scout." MORE INFORMATION

WILDFLOWERS IN THE RAIN

posted 04/22/08
I had planned on writing about wildflowers at the end of March, but it was snowing. Not much, mind you, but enough that when I stepped out on my porch to replenish the suet feeder, the Golden-crowned Sparrow’s three-note call, which some interpret as "Oh Dear Me," seemed an appropriate sentiment for the day. Glancing toward Orcas Island, I could see a dusting of snow on the slopes of Mt. Constitution. Maybe the column should wait. COLUMN


Jason Garcia (25),
Cathy Korth,
Maria Small,
James Weber,
Don Reitan

TODAY:

Be kind to Tawny

HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY
Marlis and Roger Sandwith

Link to Samantha Garl Web site

Link to San Juan Fitness and Athletic Club Web site

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