While I understand that we face difficult budget choices, and apparently are going to pay dearly for our past choices in this policy area, the idea that an island county should live with zero or just one point for solid waste removal is alarming. Curbside pickup can and should be more widely used. Currently, San Juan Sanitation is not able to provide weekly pickup to many of the outlying island areas because many streets lack enough subscribers to warrant it. Obviously, if curbside pickup were mandated, the density of customers would rise and hopefully San Juan Sanitation would respond by instituting countywide weekly pickup of domestic garbage (and recycling!).
Since Sept. 11, 2001, fear has been the main engine of change in the United States. Who would have thought that across the U.S., where people boast that it is the home of the free and the land of the brave, people would gladly surrender their freedom and liberty because they so fear terrorism? Who would have thought that the U.S. would allow, much less pay for, the National Security Agency to intercept and store 1.7 billion emails, phone calls and other communications — every single day — and pay for 30,000 people to listen in on phone conversations in the name of fighting the fear of terrorism?
To celebrate its maritime business longevity, the shipyard will host an Anniversary Party on Sept. 18, noon to 4 p.m. The company says everyone is welcome to come enjoy fresh fish and barbecued beef while it lasts. There will be historical photos to see, as well as several Jensen-built boats to visit. Additional parking is available across the street in the old gravel pit.
The Whale Museum welcomes the Buffalo Field Campaign on Friday — today — 7 p.m., for an evening of music, storytelling and video presentation. Mike Mease, co-founder of the Buffalo Field Campaign, will be joined by powerful Native voices, including Lakota/Yaqui musician and activist Good Shield Aguilar, as well as Phoenix AfterBuffalo. Good Shield fronts the band 7th Generation Rise, which performs indigenous soul.
Sheriff candidate Rob Nou told a meet-and-greet at the China Pearl Restaurant Sept. 15 that he can step into the position of sheriff and “hit the ground running.” “There’s not a lot that the Sheriff’s Office does that I’m not familiar with,” said Nou, a former Oregon police chief and sheriff’s sergeant who is now a deputy on Lopez Island. “I’m very well-prepared, I’m well-trained, and I can step in and hit the ground running.”
A recent article in The Journal reported that a promoter of the PeaceHealth hospital said that the project would generate half a million in permit fees, $4 million for local contractors, $10 million in first-year revenue, 24 new jobs, and a $4 million annual payroll, to which a town councilwoman is quoted as exclaiming, “It’s like Santa Claus came to town.”
My name is Jan Sanburg and I am writing on behalf of the San Juan County 4-H Leaders’ Council. In 2009, our group received a grant from the local chapter of the United Way. This money was used to enhance our educational activities program for the 2009-10 4-H year.
Is nonylphenol, a man-made chemical that feminizes male fish, causing bigger bellies in people? A recent peer-reviewed study found excess fat in liver and fat cells exposed to nonylphenol (See: Wada et al., J Pharmacol Sci. 2007). Such changes in fat storage lead to belly fat growth that is associated with diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Former congressional candidate Diana McGinness and Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, met in Bellingham last week to discuss the importance of the 2nd Congressional District race. She and Larsen sent out this joint statement Thursday.
Bruce and Pam Wyckoff and Gigi Zakula are delighted to announce the marriage of their children, Amanda Wyckoff and Nathan Smith, on Aug. 28, 2010.
I would like to thank the community of Friday Harbor and San Juan Island for the love, kindness, and generosity you have shown Phil McKee during his fight to overcome non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. As Phil’s (geographically) closest blood relative, I know I speak for every member of his family in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and here in the U.S. when I say that the support he has received from this community has been a constant source of strength and encouragement to him throughout his ordeal.
Aggressive play and goals by Clara Brand and Megan Goudie propelled the Friday Harbor Wolverines to a 3-0 win over the Orcas Vikings, Sept. 14 at Orcas. The Vikings played with high intensity, but the Wolverines outplayed them, doing an excellent job keeping the ball on their half of the field throughout the game and firing numerous shots on goal, team manager Madi McPadden reported.
The Special Pal Program (otherwise known as P.I.P.) at Friday Harbor Elementary School has been a favorite program of teachers, students and parents for over 20 years. It provides one-on-one and small group time for kids who are going through a difficult time. The program provides them with a caring adult to listen to them, helps them feel more linked to school, and 75-100 percent of the time consistently shows results such as increased positive behavior by students who are enrolled in the program.
