The endangered Southern Resident orca whales need our help. They need less pollution and many more salmon to eat and they need fewer boats disturbing them and making underwater noise. For more than 30 years, The Whale Museum has been observing the Southern Residents and has operated the Soundwatch “on-the-water-boater-education” program for nearly 20 years. Soundwatch has worked with the whale-watch industry and the U.S. and Canadian governments to collaboratively develop “Be Whale Wise Guidelines” (www.bewhalewise.org). Some of these guidelines have already become Washington state law. Now, the federal government is seeking to create federal vessel regulations, based in part on these industry supported guidelines. Monitoring research by Soundwatch illustrates that voluntary guidelines don’t work and that the 2008 Washington state vessel regulation also is not working, especially when applied to private boaters.
As a precaution, please lock your doors and windows. Take note of any suspicious activity, vehicle or persons in your neighborhoods. Get to know your neighbors and communicate with each other. Let your neighbors know if your house will be unoccupied and for how long. Request that they notify the Sheriff’s Office of any suspicious activity.
San Juan Island resident Marjorie Puckett and her Haflinger horse Marico will ride in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., New Year’s Day. They departed from San Juan Island earlier this month to join seven other Haflinger horses and their owners in California.
“I hope Marico isn’t too nervous moving between the towering bleachers packed with a live audience of more than one million,” Puckett said. “We were asked to participate last March, after Marico earned two National Haflinger Awards, but there is no real preparation for something like this.”
San Juan County health officials say local residents need not be concerned about the recall of several lots of H1N1 vaccine announced Tuesday. About 400 doses of the recalled vaccine were received and administered here in October and November.
Like any community, San Juan Island is a community of people with different cultural traditions and different religious beliefs. December is an important time. These different observances, by virtue of being near the close of a year, come at a time for reflection on all our common bonds.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reminds travelers planning trips across the border into the United States to make sure they have approved travel documents and offers tips to make an easier entry process when traveling back into the U.S.
Washington State Ferries advises holiday travelers to expect heavy traffic on all ferry routes throughout the holiday season, and to allow extra time for ferry travel during this busy time of year.
A 19-year-old woman was flown off-island for treatment of unknown injuries late Monday after she reportedly fell from a moving vehicle on Cattle Point Road near Mill Street. The unidentified woman fell from a Dodge 4×4 being driven by someone else. The cause was not known late Monday.
Island County Superior Court Judge Alan Hancock has the challenging task of filling in as interim judge in another county while continuing his judicial duties in Coupeville. What makes it even more emotionally difficult is that Hancock is temporarily replacing one of his dearest friends. San Juan Superior Court Judge John Linde, 62, died Dec. 3 while snorkeling in Hawaii. “I knew him well,” Hancock said. “He was a long-time friend and colleague and I’m having a hard time dealing with his untimely death.”
Friday Harbor is a town of hidden Santas. They are not identifiable by red suits or white beards, but they are here nonetheless. The Santa who stood in the Thrift House on Dec. 3, for example, was a Red Sox fan and drove a pickup truck. And his name was John, not Nick. “Are you looking for toys”? John Bostrom, supervisor for the Leo Club and chief facilitator of the Santa Ship, looked up. “You bet,” he smiled.
Sheryl L. Bryner of Friday Harbor has earned placement on the Scholastic Honor Roll for fall term at Oregon State University. Bryner is a senior majoring in natural resources. She is one of 611 students with a 4.0 grade point average. Another 2,756 earned a B-plus (3.5) or better to make the listing.
Jack Giard will be feted by family and friends on his 70th birthday Dec. 26. Giard, of Lopez Island, also marks his 30th year as his island’s unofficial weather data keeper, and his reappointment by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to the Pacific Salmon Commission Fraser River Panel.
All state-run liquor stores will be closed on Friday, in observance of Christmas. Most state stores will be open on New Year’s Day. Contract liquor stores may be open on both holidays. Contact contract stores directly for their holiday operating schedules.
