Contributed photo

Hey Friday Harbor – our FHFC soccer season is coming to a close. It has been a great season for all of our FHFC soccer teams. It is always so much fun to watch how much these kids improve throughout the season.

This Saturday our U8 teams will be participating in their final games of the season, and our U10 teams will hold their annual Jamboree. Our end of season jamboree has become an annual event, and is a great wrap up the season. Each team plays one another once; 5 short games total.

Please come out this Saturday to cheer on these players! They, along with their coaches, have worked hard and had a lot of fun. Let’s celebrate their success!

Time/Place: 9:00 AM 1st game at Friday Harbor Elementary School

See you Saturday!

Sometimes in life a life is larger than life itself

Mike Martin shares this perspective on FHHS Wolverine Football…

As the FHHS Wolverines football team heads into their final regular season game the team finds themselves backed into a corner on the road against the LaConner Braves in a must-win game: win and they advance to state.

The last time these two teams squared off in Friday Harbor it was a tug-of-war game. The Wolverines took the Braves’ best shots in stride and just kept playing smash-mouth Wolverine football for four quarters. Friday Harbor won 14-0.

Junior running back, Emeron Geiser, said that against the Braves the coaches said it would come down to who was tougher. “Coach Hauck challenged us to play a full 48 minutes of football.”  It was a defensive battle that was played between the 30 yard lines for most of the game. It was two long touchdown runs of 52 and 32 yards by Emeron that proved to be the difference on the scoreboard.

But the difference on the field was mental. In the team huddle after the game Wolverine Head Coach, Brock Hauck, addressed his team: “I told you to play four quarters. That if you kept hitting them hard on each play that we would be victorious.”

The “we” Coach Hauck spoke of included junior honorary captain, Quincy Vague. Just as Coach Hauck spoke of the lesson that they had just learned on the field that night the real-life lesson was sitting behind their bench. Every time they looked to the sideline they their saw teammate in the fight of his life. Continue Reading

The Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CPWI) Community Survey is an anonymous annual statewide survey administered by all of the CPWI coalitions in Washington state.

The Community Survey captures our local San Juan Island attitudes about teen alcohol and drug use, as well as prevention programming. This data helps to inform our coalition’s strategies, as well as the state strategies.

Thank you for taking the time, about 7-10 minutes, to help our local Prevention Coalition by answering these questions. This is an annual requirement for our funding, but more importantly, knowing the opinion of our community helps us to make informed decisions, and to help us better communicate the prevention work to the community.

Thank you for helping our San Juan Island Prevention Coalition!

Online Survey English

Online Survey Spanish

Know Your Islanders Talks

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In a reading co-sponsored by Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Trails Committee, Denny Kaill will talk about Dodging Iguanas: Some Motorcycle Tales, Some Not-All True.

In this book of adventures committed in several countries, on mountains, in jungles and deserts, oceans and seas, on motorbikes, ships and boats, there is danger, joy, and friendship. And he says he would do it all over again.

Refreshments are courtesy of the Friends of the Library and the San Juan Island Trails Committee.

Monday, November 6th at 7:00 pm at the San Juan Island Library, free.

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is inviting potential new members to an activity at to the San Juan Library on Wednesday, November 1st from 6:30-8:30 PM.

The purpose of the event is two-fold: for people to learn more about the Soroptimist organization, and to have a fun social time, working together to support one of the membership’s projects. Refreshments will be served.

We will be cutting out fabric pieces, to be used by Days for Girls in their sustainable hygiene kits. Over 600,000 kits have been distributed worldwide to areas with no access to feminine hygiene products, which prevents girls from attending school. For more information on Days for Girls see: www.daysforgirls.org.

And come to the Library on November 1st!

by Debbi Fincher, SJIPC Media

Recently, the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition offered an 8 hour training course on Youth Mental Health First Aid, a public education program, sponsored by a Project Aware grant with the Northwest Education Services District (NWESD). Our trainers, Dana King and Joyce Wells, used simulations and role-playing to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, social, peer, and self-help care. Many people are trained in First Aid and CPR, consider this another skill to have in your “tool kit”.

The research supports the need for such trainings. Self reporting data from middle and high school students in the Healthy Youth Survey 2016, from across the State, shows an increase in anxiety, stress, depression, thoughts and attempts of suicide. This program also teaches the common risk factors and warning signs of specific types of illnesses, like anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Being more aware of the warning signs, gives us a chance to talk to the youth and help get them the support they need. Calling 911 is certainly appropriate if someone is in a mental health crisis.

This course highlights, if you suspect a child is having a difficult time and/or not quite themselves, that it’s okay to check in with them. One of the most significant protective factors for youth, is a caring relationship with a trusted adult. Be direct and talk openly about suicide. Be nonjudgmental and help remove the stigma about mental health issues.

Close to 20 participants joined in this training. Here are some of their comments: Continue Reading

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary San Juan Island Detachment is offering a free “Adventures in Boating” course on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the fire station located at 1011 Mullis Street in Friday Harbor from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required and admission is free.

Everyone wishing to learn or share their safe boating skills as well as review our local boating regulations is invited to attend. Upon successful completion of the course, attendees may submit a copy of individual “Certificate of Accomplishment” with $10 for issuance of a Boater Education Card by the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission.

All Washington residents must carry a Boater Education Card while on the water operating a power-boat greater than 15 horsepower. This includes people over 12 years of age and born after January 1, 1955.

Anyone can take this course online but by taking the class in person, boaters share their experiences and discover new aspects of boating. The in-person class provides attendees to explore and understand the challenges of boating in the Salish Sea. In previous sessions, we have had Olympians, masters of unlimited tonnage, and nine-year-old mariners share sage advice about boating. Continue Reading

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center earns Gold Award
PIMC named ‘Community Health Leader’ by WSHA

The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) named PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center a 2017 Community Health Leadership Gold Award Winner for the medical center’s innovative integrated mental health program.

PeaceHealth Peace Island’s behavioral health care program was developed in response to the community health needs assessment. The program includes behavioral assessment within the primary care clinic, complemented by a tele-psychiatry program as well as psychological follow-up of behavioral health care services. The program serves all patients who access primary care at PeaceHealth Peace Island, which also includes a community-wide behavioral and psychiatric “service portal” that further assists patients in better accessing primary care services. The tele-psychiatry specifically serves hard-to-reach San Juan County patients, offering weekly psychiatric services that would otherwise not be available. Assessment and follow-up services help with care coordination and facilitate access to services, lower cost of services and better quality of care.

According to WSHA, the award is given annually to a health care organization that is serving its community’s broader health needs in innovative and lasting ways. The intent is to recognize organizations that are not just serving patients, but making their entire community healthier. “Health care is traditionally thought of in terms of hospital stays or visits to an outpatient clinic, but a major focus of health care today is community wellness,” WSHA President and CEO Cassie Sauer said. “Hospitals such as PeaceHealth Peace Island have become important community partners when it comes to proactively helping residents live healthier lives.” Continue Reading

Success in getting paid is critical to any business. When an entrepreneur’s business is not set up to get paid successfully, or when clients neglect to pay – on time, or at all – operations can slow down, jeopardizing the business itself. Join the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) to learn more about strategies, payment systems and collections at a workshop entitled Get Paid on Thursday, November 9th on San Juan Island.

The course will cover attracting paying clients, using accounts receivable software and payment processing services, identifying and avoiding deadbeats, and collecting overdue accounts. Workshop instructors Victoria Compton and Jeanne Peihl bring decades of small business experience to the class.

Date: Thursday, November 9th from 10-11:30a. Cost: $10 to cover materials. Class size is limited, advance registration is required. The class will be held at Heritage Bank on San Juan Island. For more information and to register: www.sanjuansedc.org/getpaid .

The EDC thanks San Juan Propane, Islanders Bank and Heritage Bank for supporting this workshop.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community. The EDC works to build an environment that helps business owners create jobs. We serve business: linking organizations and resources, providing valuable information, rendering assistance and advocating for an improved island business environment.

Haunted House “Frightmare at the Fairgrounds” 3rd Annual Spooktacular event is next Friday & Saturday

• Friday, October 27; 6-10 pm Age 10 years & up for a Scary Night! Cost $10
• Saturday, October 28; 2-6 pm For Little ones and Seniors. No popup scares, scenery only. Cost $5
• Saturday, October 28; 6-10 pm Age 10 years & up for a Scary Night! Cost $10

Brought you by the Friday Harbor Jolly Trolley & San Juan County Fairgrounds.

Proceeds from this event benefit our local San Juan Island Prevention Coalition and Rock Solid Youth Team—a program teaching youth leadership.

Frightmare is a fun way to spend your Halloween weekend! You may even want to come back a second time to bring family and friends. This fabulous walk through haunted house is sure to frighten a little and completely delight you! It’s a cool, spooky adventure for the entire family.

So, come, get spooked and make this a safe, memorable tradition in Friday Harbor.

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It’s finally here! The first Community Dinner of the school year will be on Wednesday, October 25th from 5:30 – 7:30 in the High School Commons.

It has been an exciting year so far with some great changes to the program. The Food for Thought Program has now taken over the classroom!

Liz Varvaro is now teaching Culinary Arts, Baking and International Cooking as well as continuing the Chef.0 Internship program! We have officially taken over the culinary department and we are thrilled to showcase our talented Chef Andy’s skills to more students through a classroom setting.

This school year marks a full decade of bringing delicious, from-scratch meals to our students, staff and community. We look forward to the new educational opportunities ahead and inspiring a larger group of students in the Culinary Arts.

Island Rec is adding more evenings of indoor fun in November to the calendar! Now that it’s getting cooler outside, join us for some indoor fitness at the fairgrounds.

Beginning November 2nd at the Fairgrounds:

• Tuesdays – Roller Hockey (5:30-6:30 ages 5-9) (6:30-7:30 ages 9-15) (7:30-9:00 ages 16+)
• Thursdays – Indoor Soccer 6:30-8:30pm, Ages 16 and up
• Saturdays – Scooter & Trike (5:30-6:30pm) Open Skate (7-8:30pm), All ages welcome, 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult, ages 12-17 must have signed parent/guardian waiver to attend without an adult.

Drop-in rates vary per evening of fun. No experience necessary for roller hockey, some equipment available, and volunteer coaches there nightly to help with the youth and teen age groups. Sign up for the Roller Hockey season pass and save, for Youth and Teens, $51 and for adults $77. Scholarships available.

For more information or registration, visit www.islandrec.org, call 378-4953 or drop by the office at 580 Guard Street Monday through Friday 11am-5pm. Please note that the schedule for all drop-in programs is subject to change. Please visit our program calendar at http://www.islandrec.org/calendar/ to get up to date information.

A child in the village of Azuretti, Cote d’Ivoire, receives polio vaccine during a National Immunization Day, 27 April 2013. Find the story in “The Rotarian,” October 2013, pages 45-51.

Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative nearly 30 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to just 37 cases in 2016. To sustain this program, and protect all children from polio, Rotary has committed to raising $50 million per year over the next three years in support of global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match Rotary’s commitment 2:1. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.

Rotary has contributed more than $1.7 billion to ending polio since 1985, including over $70,000 contributed by Rotary Club of San Juan Island.

As we celebrate World Polio Day on October 24th, please consider a donation today to Rotary Foundation PolioPlus fund. Your gift will be matched 2:1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. endpolio.org

Does your organization or business have computers to donate?

United Way SJC has donated over 25 computers to people who can’t afford to buy them, and we need more to meet the need. We can also use computers that need new hard drives or Wi-Fi adapters, and working printers are also appreciated!

Your benefits: your data will be safely removed, you won’t have to deal with disposal of the unit (and they won’t end up in a landfill), and most importantly, someone in our county who needs a computer will benefit from your generosity.

If you have questions or to arrange for a pickup, call the United Way office at 360-378-4121, or email us at
unitedwaysjc [@] rockisland.com.

United Way of San Juan County
PO Box 3181
Friday Harbor WA 98250
360-378-4121

www.unitedwaysjc.com

Obie is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Well hello there. I’m Obie, with some advice for these troubled times.

• Live life like someone left the gate open.
• Unless the bed is cozy. Then stay in bed.
• Cats are seldom trustworthy.
• If you can’t eat it, play with it, or snuggle with it; it’s probably a cat.
• If you hear someone talking to the vet on the phone, and then they ask you if you want to go for a ride in the car… don’t go. It’s a trick.
• Invest in tennis balls. They have a high rate of return.

May I also suggest you stop by the animal shelter to meet me soon? I’m in the market for a new family and you look like someone I could love!

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
111 Shelter Road
(360) 378-2158