Around the island….

That's Mari & Katie with Kayla's baby (see below) at the FHHS game last week....

What a week we’ve had….starting with spring weather in January, and carrying on from there…

Kayla with the "baby" she looks after 24/7 for Child Psychology class...

• It’s not surprising to hear that islander Jim Maya went out with Western Prince & Ivan yesterday…the trick is – that’s in San Diego. Capt. Jim & Capt. Ivan saw zillions of dolphins off THAT coast…

• There is a Facebook page set up for folks to add their thoughts for Richard Lawson…check here.

• Some folks have put together a movie called Fast Friends to Friday Harbor, sorta starring our island…here’s the trailer. (The trailer is a bit crude, if you are gentle of ear.)

• Vernadel from the Chamber of Commerce wanted to keep you up to date about the Arts Fair in the summer:

I know July 17 & 18 seem like a long time from now, but we have started accepting applications for Artist, Food Vendors and Poster Contest Entries for our annual Summer Arts Festival!  Applications are available online at http://www.sanjuanisland.org/

Matthew, hanging with his parents, Brett & Sandra

• Brett and Sandra Percich are happy to announce the birth of their son, Matthew William Percich, on December 18, 2009. Matthew was born at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California at 2:33 a.m. and weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz. and was 22 inches long.

Matthew and his parents live in Chula Vista, California. His grandparents are Bobbi and Steve Billmyer and Bill and Monica Percich of Friday Harbor, WA and Guillermo Alva and Ana Helfer de Alva of Lima, Peru. Great-grandparents are Don Kowalski of Walnut Creek, CA, Marty and Jerrie Percich of Friday Harbor, WA, and Hernan and Aurora Helfer of Lima, Peru.

That's Humberto Orozco, Emily Hallock, Herb Mason and Rebecca Smith - winners of the EMS awards a couple of weeks ago (here's the scoop).

San Juan Island EMS members were acknowledged with special awards at the annual EMS Banquet on January 16. The EMT of the Year Award and the Chief’s Award went to Herb Mason. Rebecca Smith was the Officer of the Year. The Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Humberto Orozco. The physicians of the Inter Island Medical Center gave the Frank Wilson Service Beyond Self Award to Emily Hallock.

“It is a privilege to recognize these awardees for their service in 2009. They each made special contributions and extra individual efforts, beyond their regular responsibilities, to provide exemplary personalized care and emergency medical services to their fellow Islanders,” said EMS Chief Jim Cole. “We also want to acknowledge all the volunteer and career personnel and their families for their service and support. In 2009, we responded to 980 calls. Each and every member of San Juan Island EMS responded diligently, at all hours and in all conditions, to serve our residents and visitors.”

Ten San Juan Island EMS EMTs were recognized for fifteen years and more of EMS service, including Lainey Volk (25 years) and Brad Creesy (15 years).

San Juan Island EMS is the tax supported, county EMS agency serving the residents and visitors of San Juan Island, Town of Friday Harbor, Brown Island, Stuart Island, Johns Island, Speiden Island, Pearl Island and Henry Island in San Juan County, Washington. It provides emergency medical services, critical care transport, and injury and accident prevention. The staff of career paramedics and volunteer EMTs is available twenty-four hour a day. – Alan Roochvarg

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