Around the island…

Things are happening – check it out:

• She knows her stuff, and now Sherry Otis has an online store!

Sherry’s Shop.com carries fun, affordable jewelry, scarves, hats, accessories, incense, gifts and more! Sherry’s Shop.com was founded in July 2011 and is based in here in Friday Harbor, Washington. Check it out!

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• Carolyn from the Fire Department says we have 16 new wildland firefighters trained & ready to go – here’s the scoop:

In preparation for the 2011 fire season, 16 men and women recently trained to be certified as wildland firefighters for the San Juan Island Fire Department.

They are Matthew Dobbs, Joseph Foriska, Deven Foss, Dustin Geldermann, Peter Goddu, Thomas Lean, Kurt and Peggy Long, Mike MacLellan, Charles Nash, Micah Powell, Connar Smith, Tony Smith, Emilie Sperl, Marc Vermeire and Sam Waite.

Each of these department members are now nationally certified wildland firefighters.

Others outside of the department were involved in supporting a related class. The department would like to thank Mike and Jeri Ahrenius of Jensen’s Shipyard and Will Hamilton of Roche Harbor Highlands for making their properties available for our wildland driver training class.

And a thank you is due to Roche Harbor for allowing us to use the farm property for driver training, for live fire training and for ongoing drills.

The island has experienced relatively few wildfires this season due to the higher than average relative humidity for this time of year. However, the vegetation moisture is expected to decrease over the next week thus the fire danger level may increase.

As additional protection, the fire department supports the Firewise Communities program. Trained Firewise Specialists who are members of the San Juan Island Fire Department will do free home property inspections assessing the risk of fire and then making suggestions on how to minimize the risk of losing your home.

San Juan County has nearly half of the FireWise Communities in the state, 37 out of 85, and San Juan Island has 33 of those 37 San Juan County FireWise Communities. Seven of the Island’s Firewise Communities are celebrating their 5-year anniversaries, with three others now in their 6th & 7th years, and still four others with 8 years as a Firewise Community. Thank you to Firewise Coordinator Ron Garner and all of the Firewise Communities for reducing wildland fire hazards and reducing the chance of home ignitions, making your firefighters’ jobs much safer.

To get your community or single home risk assessment and fire protection advice, call the fire department at 378-5334. For more information about Firewise Communities USA, visit www.firewise.org

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• Just heard: The memorial service for Landis Pederson has been scheduled for 2:30pm at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church on August 2oth…more information to come.

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• Want to help? Kris Brown could use a hand:

The baking booth is still looking for judges to help judge these three areas:
Cakes and Decorated Cakes
Healthy Foods, Heritage Recipes and Candy
Youth Cookies
We need two to three judges in each category. Judging the tasty creations starts Tuesday, August 16, at 6:00p.m. in the main fair building and takes about an hour.

To find out more, check out this website and call or e-mail Kris Brown as soon as possible. kbcbrown (at) centurytel.net or 378-3432

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• The Art Market got started Thursday – how did it go? Debbie Pigman reports:

The Friday Harbor Art Market enjoyed a successful opening night on Thursday on the new plaza at the Brickworks property on Nichols Street.  A steady stream of curious folks strolled through the just completed Brickworks plaza, enjoying he sounds of local musicians and the creations of fourteen artists, talking with the artists, catching up with friends and purchasing gifts or souvenirs to take back home. The Art Market will continue to run weekly from 5-8pm until September 1.

Art Market artists include Hayley Bolstad Hatten – etched metal jewelry, Patti Barker – fiber art accessories, Beth Hetrick – watercolors,  Brandy Ballard – beach/bottle top Glass jewelry, Geneva/Karen Mottet – knitted items, paintings,  Debbie Pigman – beaded jewelry, Alison Johnston– acrylics, Linda Francis – soaps and lotions, Terrea Bennett – art prints and magnets, Paula West – porcelain tableware, Kasimir – handcut gemstones, amulets and jewelry,  Doris Schaller – oils,  David Halpern and Jennifer Armstrong – flip books, art and felted wares and Jane Buck – photos, cards, photo mugs.

Music was provided by OPA and Teddy Deane.

The Friday Harbor Art Market 2012 season will run from June until September. The market is coordinated by Debbie Pigman of Pigman’s Artworks with the assistance of Elaine Kendall with the San Juan County Ag Guild.  For more information contact Pigman at pigmansartworks (at) rockisland.com.

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• Do you see her pictures? Cyndi Brast posted last week’s Farmers Market on her site.

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• Here’s a report from Debbi Fincher about what some island kids have been up to:

FHHS junior Brett Paul participates in an activity in Anaheim last month.

Let the Training Begin…
Recently, members of the San Juan County Youth Council represented our San Juan Island Prevention Coalition and Lopez Island Prevention Coalition this team of youth made the commitment to participate in a weeks long training with nearly 80 other Prevention Coalitions from across the US and 8 International Coalitions joined in!

In fact, our team had the pleasure of including a student from Brazil, who also made the journey to Anaheim to join this CADCA (Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America) sponsored event. It takes just one to start a movement for change.

Our youth learned valuable skills and gained confidence that they can use to bring real change at the community level on issues that affect them directly. Substance abuse issues have been a main focus for our Prevention Coalitions, but we also understand that we need to support our youth in all areas of their life. Through Leadership Training programs such as this one, our youth feel empowered to get involved and really effect change among their peers and our community. These kids are great role models for all of us!

I asked Teddy McCullough, recent Lopez graduate and founder of the San Juan County Youth Council, Brett Paul and Sam Waite, both entering their junior year at FHHS, and co-chairs of HOTS, “What do you need from your community to succeed?”

They all commented on the value of guidance from their community members and shared resources. They have the drive and desire but could use our help to implement their goals for positive change in the community.

The good news is they want to do it, but need a little assistance to get things started. Can you help? Contact our Prevention Coalitions on San Juan Island 378-9683 or Lopez Island 468-3770.

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Categories: Around Here