The National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that several Northwest Indian tribes and the state of Washington will be eligible for up to a total of $2 million to assist tribal and non-tribal communities affected by the commercial fishery failure in Fraser River sockeye salmon. “The assistance we are announcing today will help tribal and non-tribal fishermen who have been hurt by drastic declines in sockeye salmon runs and harvests that are so important to these communities,” Acting Assistant Administrator Jim Balsiger said in a press release.
Riley Pratt O’Brien of Friday Harbor, Wash., formerly of Winnetka, Ill., and Buffalo, N.Y., died at the age of 97 on Nov. 8, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Mary Frances Aspinwall; and his wife of 16 years, Martha Towle Fortune.
The recent loss of seven Puget Sound orcas – close to 10 percent of the Sound’s orca population – has prompted the Puget Sound Partnership to convene a special meeting of salmon and orca experts today, 4-5:30 p.m., at the U.W. Friday Harbor Labs.
San Juan Wireless has announced the addition of AT&T Mobility and Budget Prepay Bill Station to its mix of services. Through a business partnership with Car Toys, San Juan Wireless can now offer mainland competitive prices on AT&T Mobility GSM phones. AT&T Mobility is a wireless carrier whose service will work both domestically and internationally.
The San Juan School District will present long-range financial planning and implication for instructional programs Nov. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in the Friday Harbor Middle School Commons. The meeting is open to the public. Planning for legislative advocacy to compel the Legislature to fully fund basic education will also be presented.
Existing regulations are considered too restrictive for siting or expansion of essential public facilities, such as airports, barge landings, schools or solid-waste stations. Change might be just around the corner for San Juan County’s hotly-debated rules governing essential public facilities.
Skagit Valley College presents “Women’s Cultures — Matri-Centered Societies and the Goddess” Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Orcas Senior Center. Delve into the key cultural anthropology concepts of the matri-centered culture of South India and the Native Americans in the Southwest. You will explore the diverse cultures of women in history and what is known archaeologically about women, matri-centered societies and the goddess — along with questions of matriarchy, patriarchy, empowerment and the infinite possibilities that exist for society and culture from the past to the future.
About 30 enthusiasts participated in the San Juan Island Trails Committee’s Bike Trails Subcommittee bike ride Nov. 1. Riders ranged in age from 4 to over 70. Riders comprised a well-rounded group whose goals include improving local non-motorized transportation and commuting options; bike safety improvements such as education, signage and multi-use trails; increasing awareness among local motorists of sharing roadways with cyclists; creating mountain bike trails, and just having a good time.
The Lopez Island School Board has hired M.R. Buffum as head coach of the Lobos boys basketball team. The season begins Monday, with the first home game scheduled for Dec. 5.
The Roche Harbor Salmon Classic Invitational, Feb. 5-7, has reached its 100-boat entry limit and is sold out.
Island Rec hosts Roller Hockey on Tuesdays at the San Juan County Fairgrounds main exhibit hall.
Now is the time to register for Island Rec’s Girls Basketball League, open to girls in grades 4-8. Deadline to register is Dec. 1; the season begins in January. All games are played on San Juan Island on Sunday afternoons. Volunteer coaches are needed.
San Juan Island Fitness, in cooperation with the local PTAs, is presenting “Kids Night Out” Nov. 15, beginning at 5 p.m., at the fitness center.
