Pilgrim will conduct a book and computer drive April 25, May 2 and May 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the old Sam’s Shoe Shop at 187 Spring St. Pilgrim is conducting the drive to help the students of Beacon of Hope Secondary School in Soroti, Uganda, build a library collection and increase their access to education.
Four San Juan Island Firewise residents recently attended the biennial Firewise Conference in Tampa, Fla. Attending the conference: Brent Johnson, North Forty; Jon Zerby, Hillview Terrace III; Rex Stickle, Westside Story; and Ron Garner, Alaska Place.
Friday Harbor golfers continue to dominate the Northwest 1A/2B League. The Wolverines, 7-0, possibly set a record at Similk Beach Golf Course April 23, shooting 188 to La Conner’s 243 over nine holes. Senior Jordyn Taylor led with a 3-under 33, followed by Dustin Howard, 35; Cody Price, 36; Tyler McKee, 41; William King, 43; Quinn Bune, 45; and Megan Cuomo, 50.
In loving memory of Ida Pellandini Hammond. Ida passed away on April 21, 2009, in Pinegrove, Calif., due to complications of a recent stroke. Nearly 97 years of age, she passed peacefully in her sleep. Ida was born Aug. 10, 1912, in Ceres, Calif., to Louis and Marie Pellandini. She spent most of her life in Sonoma, graduating from Sonoma High School, class of 1931. It is believed that Ida was the last surviving member of that graduating class.
The “Party of the Year” will be the Purple & Gold barbecue, dance and
auction May 2, at 5 p.m., at the Beaverton Valley Business Park! The goal is to raise $45,000 to fund the high school sports program.
May Boyce, a lifelong resident of Friday Harbor who was born more than two years before the town was established, died Thursday in Island Convalescent Center in Friday Harbor. She was 102 and possibly the oldest resident of the San Juans. Evans Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. Funeral arrangements hadn’t been made this morning. They will be reported as soon as received.
For several years, grants from the Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure have helped pay for transportation for island women needing to visit doctors on the mainland for cancer treatment. But this year, that grant fell victim to increased needs elsewhere as well as the economic slump.
The Washington Employment Security Department has released the preliminary employment data for March and the data show that the unemployment rate for San Juan County rose during the month to 7.7 percent. The March rate was three-tenths of a percentage points above the revised February rate of 7.4 percent.
In light of the dog torture case now before our court, we have formed Citizens for Protection of Animals (CPA). The purpose is to be a collective voice for animals in the event one might need it. Our purpose is to make the public aware in the event a cruelty, torture or wrongful death case is brought to our attention, either through the sheriff or the Animal Protection Society. We might need your signature on a petition or ask if you have the time to be in court.
The San Juan Island School Board has voted to issue notice to employees that the district expects to eliminate six positions in the 2009-10 school year. The board made the vote Tuesday, anticipating a $1 million budget shortfall because of expected reductions in the state education budget. Though the state budget reductions will not be known until the legislative session concludes April 26, state law and teachers’ union contracts require that districts provide anticipated reduction-in-force notices to affected employees by May 1.
Please take a moment to consider what our island has to offer the next time you are spending money. Let’s support our local economy. It helps us all.
Where children once played, horses tread. Crumb rubber, removed from the Friday Harbor Elementary School playground on March 7-8 after a citizens committee raised money for its replacement, was sold to Roxanne Christensen of Horseshu Ranch on Douglas and San Juan Valley roads.
Who will be the next mayor of Friday Harbor? Mayor David Jones told The Journal Wednesday that he will not seek a second term. Jones’ four-year term ends Dec. 31. His retirement as the centennial-year mayor leaves a big question mark on who might run to succeed him. It also raises the possibility that a political ceiling will be shattered.
