Posted September 3, 2014 at 5:49 am by Tim Dustrude
Winnie Sundstrom’s 1960-1961 3rd grade class – SJI Historical Museum photo
Here’s this month’s history column, submitted by the SJI Historical Museum…
School bells are ringing once again, just as they did in 1960 when teacher Winnie Sundstrom gathered her Friday Harbor third graders for their class photo. The San Juan Historical Museum hopes you can help identify all these smiling kids. Anyone see yourself here?
Posted September 3, 2014 at 5:35 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Head injury is finally being recognized as a major issue affecting our kids. While most attention has been paid to contact sports like football, soccer, basketball, rugby, and lacrosse, even more children suffer head trauma while bicycling and in auto accidents.
There can be both short and long term effects of concussions in both adults and children. However, the child’s developing brain is at far greater risk of consequences. These include behavior problems, sleep difficulties, and school performance issues that may last for months or longer as well as risk of more serious damage if there are repeated head injuries.
Youth athletes and their families as well as coaches, trainers, and officials need to learn more about traumatic brain injury so that they may better understand its implications and make wise choices. This is NOT anti-sports, it is PRO safe sports. Continue Reading
Posted September 3, 2014 at 5:30 am by Peggy Sue McRae
The Whale Museum’s Lecture Series: Highlights of NOAA’s Report on 10 Years of Conservation & Research on SRKW
Presented by Brad Hanson, NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Friday Harbor, WA — The Whale Museum is pleased to welcome Brad Hanson as part of the 2014 Summer Lecture Series. The talk entitled “Highlights of NOAA’s Report on 10 Years of Conservation & Research on SRKW” will take place at The Whale Museum on Monday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Brad Hanson from NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center will give a presentation that provides an overview of federally funded research accomplishments on Southern Resident killer whales over the past 10 years. In addition, he will also discuss on-going and new challenges, as well as future areas of research. Continue Reading
Posted September 3, 2014 at 5:20 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Frank Mulcahy has given San Juan County notice that he will resign from his position as Public Works Director effective Sept. 30, 2014, citing family and career reasons. Frank joined the County in late 2011. During his tenure, Frank oversaw the county’s transition out of solid waste services, and was instrumental in developing new relationships with nearby counties for shared services. His enthusiasm and energy for public works projects and services was notable and will be missed. Mike Thomas, County Manager, indicated that the search for a new public works director will begin immediately.
Posted September 3, 2014 at 5:20 am by Peggy Sue McRae
The San Juan Island Library and San Juan Island Senior Services are teaming up to offer a workshop on living with the challenges of low vision and failing eyesight. The workshop will take place on Thursday, September 11 at 10:00 AM at the Mullis Center.
Resources will be available to people affected by low vision, addressing mobility issues, technological aids, and state and federal sources of help. The meeting will last for about an hour and a half, and is open to all people experiencing vision problems and friends or families of people with vision problems. Speakers will include representatives of Tri County Low Vision Services, San Juan Island Library, and San Juan County Senior Services.
“Technology can’t solve all vision problems, but there are many resources that can make a tremendous difference. The Library can help, not just with books, but with information needs such as how to buy equipment or connect with services. Increasing awareness about the various kinds of available support can really help,” said Library Outreach Coordinator Beth Helstien. Continue Reading
Posted September 2, 2014 at 11:27 am by Tim Dustrude
Ghostbusters plays this week at Movies in the Park. Click the image above to enlarge.
Posted September 2, 2014 at 5:30 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Adorable Kittens – Contributed Photo
Just when we thought kitten season was coming to an end we find ourselves with six of the most adorable kittens ever.
They are from two litters and about nine or ten weeks old now. All of them are a bit shy but we’ve had staff and volunteers working with them regularly and they are becoming very sweet and affectionate.
They won’t last long, so stop by the shelter soon to meet them! If you have some time to spare, we still need help socializing these babies – come on in!
Posted September 2, 2014 at 5:30 am by Peggy Sue McRae
American Gothic Photo Op – Contributed Photo
Posted September 2, 2014 at 5:25 am by Peggy Sue McRae
A $40,000 grant has been awarded to the San Juan Community Home Trust by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the domestic anti-poverty program of the U. S. Catholic Bishops. CCHD supports programs where low-income people participate on the governing board of the organization, which makes it a good fit with Community Land Trusts, since CLTs aim to have one-third of their Board positions filled by residents of their permanently affordable homes.
The grant funds will be applied towards the operating costs of the Home Trust. Additionally, funds will be used to send homeowner Board members to the fall gathering of the NW CLT Coalition in West Glacier, Montana in September. A portion of the funds will also be applied to design costs associated with planning Phase 2 of Sun Rise, which is now underway. Continue Reading
Posted September 1, 2014 at 7:21 pm by Tim Dustrude
San Juan Island teachers agree to two-year contract, avoid strike
San Juan Education Association members and the San Juan School District have reached a Tentative Agreement avoiding a strike which was scheduled to begin Tuesday, Sept. 2. SJEA members signed off on the agreement this afternoon after hearing from the bargaining team.
The two-year agreement enables teachers to spend time working on the new evaluation system, integrate technology and gives them a five percent increase over the duration of the two-year contract.
SJEA President John McMain says he feels like the hard work the teams put into bargaining at the table paid off for both the members of the association and the district.
“I feel that this contract makes a reasonable amount of progress and is a fair deal which will allow the district to continue to attract and retain the high quality teachers our students deserve,” McMain says. “Now we can get back to the business of educating our students.”
Members voted unanimously to support the agreement and will be reporting to class as scheduled tomorrow.
Posted September 1, 2014 at 6:54 pm by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a note from the School District to the San Juan Island community:
The San Juan Island School District is pleased to announced that a collective bargaining agreement was reached this evening with the San Juan Education Association (teacher’s union). The agreement was collaboratively developed over the last several months and provides for additional teacher compensation, along with district support for technology training and for the new teacher evaluation system.
This means that school is will be in session tomorrow, September 2, 2014, for all staff and students. We thank everyone for their patience with the bargaining process. Any questions can be directed to Rick Thompson at 378-4133.
Rick Thompson,
Superintendent
Posted September 1, 2014 at 11:32 am by Tim Dustrude
While the San Juan Education Association and the San Juan Island School District initially made progress in Sunday’s negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement, negotiations stalled and no settlement was reached this evening.
“It looked like we were moving forward earlier today, but we were not able to come to an agreement. I am disappointed but still hopeful we can come to an agreement before Tuesday since our contract officially expires this evening at midnight.”
Mediators from the State’s Public Employment Relations Commission have been working over the last week to assist the parties in reaching an agreement. SJEA members voted to stop working if there is no agreement. Bargaining is scheduled to resume tomorrow, September 1.
~ John McMain
Aug. 31, 2014
Posted September 1, 2014 at 1:31 am by Tim Dustrude
Community Message: SJISD and SJEA Bargaining 8/31/14
August 31, 2014
8:30 pm
Dear San Juan Island Community
Both the San Juan Island School District and the San Juan Education Association (teacher’s union) met Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening to work on a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the agreement which expires today. Both sides continue to share proposals and exchange ideas in an effort to reach agreement. No agreement was reached as of Sunday evening. The district will update the community on bargaining on Monday September 1, 2014, and communicate any possible changes to school for Tuesday, September 2, 2014.
Rick Thompson,
Superintendent
Posted August 31, 2014 at 5:47 am by Tim Dustrude
Chef Juan Carlos teaches local participants – Pat Torpie photo
It’s always good to hear about good things happening just across the water. On Lopez Island, they celebrated Guatemalan cooking with Chef Juan Carlos Mendoza. Here’s Barbara Keller with the story….”
Class enjoys the fruits of their labors – Pat Torpie photo
For years I have been excited about a wonderful community development program on the shores of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. This week ten lucky Lopezians had a chance to sample the culture of their “sister” community in Guatemala over food. Thanks to Lopez artists Pat Torpie and Nancy Bingham the Islands have had a relationship with the hillside town of Santa Cruz la Laguna on the shores of Lake Atitlan for over two decades.
Chef Juan Carlos Mendoza is a graduate of the Amigos de Santa Cruz Culinary Program in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala and top chef for their award winning, graduate-run, Café Sabor Cruceño. He and Rosalia Simon Perez, the Amigos program coordinator, visited Lopez for a week to share food and friendship. Continue Reading
Posted August 31, 2014 at 5:40 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Friday Harbor, Wash. – Come to The Whale Museum for “Coffee & Conversation” from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Friday, September 5. If you haven’t been to the Museum lately, this is a great time to come in and enjoy light refreshments while getting to know the Museum better. Hosted by executive director Jenny Atkinson, attendees will also learn more about what it takes to be a museum docent. Participants will receive a free admission ticket to the Exhibit Hall and a 10% coupon for our gift shop, good same day. While touring the Exhibit Hall, take a look at our new stair lift. The stair lift was made possible thanks to a grant from the Women’s Fund and San Juan Island Community Foundation as well as funds raised through museum admissions. We hope you will join us for “Coffee & Conversation.”
The Whale Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 62 First St. N. Founded in 1976, The Whale Museum’s mission is to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. In addition to providing exhibits, the Museum also provides programs including the Marine Naturalist Training, Orca Adoption Program, SeaSound Acoustics Program, Soundwatch, San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and the Whale Hotline. The Whale Museum can be found on-line at www.whalemuseum.org.
Posted August 30, 2014 at 3:57 pm by Tim Dustrude
Dr. Vincent Shu – SJ Update photo
This is Dr. Vincent Shu and he would like your opinions on a project he is working on. He would like to bring a natural science college to Friday Harbor: The Washington Institute of Natural Sciences School of Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine and a Community Clinic Center for Integrative Medicine. And he would like to do this in the old Inter-Island Medical Center building. If you have thoughts about this, there is an an online survey where you can answer questions and let your thoughts be heard: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M3J235X
The old Inter-Island Medical Center building on Spring Street – SJ Update file photo