Forum On Patriot Act Draws Large Crowd

(Christopher Varas, on the left, and Herb Meyer, on the right)

An educational forum sponsored by the SJI Outreach Group of the ACLU, and co-sponsored by the SJC Bar Association, attracted a large audience Sunday afternoon to hear Christopher Varas, formerly a staff attorney for the ACLU and a member of the Speakers' Bureau of the ACLU, and SJI resident Herb Meyer, former Special Assistant to the Director of CIA, to speak on "Homeland Security & Civil Liberties".
(Previous Story)

The presentation by the two speakers was to be an educational experience for both the speakers and the public, to explore and learn about the Patriot Act, and what impacts it may or may not have on both civil liberties and rights. Mr. Meyer led off, and set a tone of reasonableness and willingness that both speakers consistently followed throughout the afternoon as they presented views and observations on the subject, without introducing politics into the discussion; an ongoing problem Meyer told the group that "both the Right and the Left are guilty of", and Varas in turn stated "The worse possible outcome is the polarization of dialog".

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Local Student To Congressional Leadership Conference

(James (Mitchell) McCormick is pictured above with his grandfather, WWII Vet and Omaha Beach survivor, Harold R. Brown)

Steak Dinner Benefit to Support Student, Saturday, Feb 25, 6:00 p.m. downstairs at FH American Legion Post $15.00. Reserve by email: lisa4u@centurytel.net , Pay at the Door.

James Mitchell McCormick, a sophomore at Friday Harbor High School, has been selected to attend the 2006 Congressional Student Leadership Conference, sponsored by LeadAmerica, at Catholic University in Washington, DC. Exceptional high school students with a record of academic achievement and extracurricular or community involvement, are selected from across the United States and internationally to participate.

Students select an academic area to study, and challenge themselves to excel and realize their full potential by engaging in interactive workshops and activities. Students learn and develop vital leadership skills, including effective communication, conflict resolution, team building and time management.

Mitchell has chosen the course on Intelligence, Defense & National Security and will have the privilege of meeting intelligence officers, military leaders, and policy makers and learn about complex issues facing our world today. He will pursue attendance at the Junior War College next summer, which will lend favorably to his goal in seeking an Air Force Academy appointment upon his graduation in June of 2008.

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FH Forum on: "Homeland Security and Civil Liberties"

Sunday, February 26th, an ACLU sponsored forum at the Friday Harbor Grange will be held from 3-5 titled, "Homeland Security and Civil Liberties". The speakers will be Mr. Chris Varas, a Seattle attorney and Mr. Herb Meyer.

Herb Meyer (top photos) has served as Special Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence, and Vice Chairman of the CIA's National Intelligence Council, and holds the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, which is the Intelligence Community's highest honor. Mr. Lives on San Juan Island and is the author of several books.

Christopher Varas (bottom photo) is a member of the Advocacy and Dispute Resolution department at Preston Gates, was formerly a staff attorney for the ACLU of Illinois, and is a member of the Speakers' Bureau of the ACLU. He regularly speaks about the USA PATRIOT Act and civil liberties issues related to the war on terrorism.

This free public presentation is sponsored by the San Juan Island Outreach Group of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, and is co-sponsored by the San Juan County Bar Association. Contact Roger deRoos (360-378-6323) for additional information on the forum

The ACLU is a non-profit, non-partisan, membership organization dedicated to defending and extending the protections of the Bill of Rights to all peoples of America. Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights.

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A "File of Life Kit" Could Save A Life

Jim Cole, AKA Chief, San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services EMS Administrator, San Juan County Public Hospital District (lower left) along with 20 plus San Juan Lion's Club Members, are shown taking a Photo Moment after assembling 2,000 File of Life Kits on Saturday for initial distribution to San Juan Island residents.

The File of Life Kit is a bright red, 4 inch by 5 inch plastic envelope that will attach to the refrigerator with a magnet, and can be easily spotted by EMS First Responders from the Emergency Medical Team. A reflective sticker is also included in the Kit to post on main entrance to a house for high visibility so EMT's can immediately go to the refrigerator door holding the File of Life envelope, obtain the medical information and patient's name of doctor, phone numbers, allergies and medical history of the patient to provide prompt medical attention. Photo of Kit

EMT Chief Jim Cole says "Having immediate access to this vital information could save a life, so I urge everyone on the island to have one for every family member to provide the EMT's medical reference in an emergency. This File of Life is for all ages."

The File of Life is sponsored by the San Juan Lions Club, endorsed by the EMS of San Juan Island, as a community project to have every household, and every island resident, have one medical kit filled in and attached to their refrigerator, plus a wallet size card to carry, with up to date Medical Information that EMS First Responders can quickly review on site whenever an Emergency situation arises.

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Spelling Bee Champion Selected

After enduring 23 rounds of elimination, Friday Harbor Middle School seventh grader Megan Cuomo beat out 19 other spellers to receive the First Place trophy as Friday Harbor Spelling Bee Champion for 2006. Second Place was taken by Friday Harbor Middle school sixth grader Jimmy Chaffe, and Third Place was taken by Friday Harbor Elementary School fourth grader Emma Brand.

On March 25th, each school will send their school champion speller to the Scripps-Howard regional spelling bee in Mount Vernon, sponsored by the Skagit Valley Herald. Winners of that bee will advance to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

This year's Friday Harbor Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands, was held after school on February 8th on the Main Stage of the San Juan Community Theatre. Twenty entrants from the Friday Harbor Elementary School, the Friday Harbor Middle School, and the Spring Street International School had already been selected by in-school spelling bees to represent their classes in this bee, and they showed remarkable composure as they appeared on the stage in front of a crowd of student and adult spectators and spelling bee officials.

Pronouncing was enunciated by Dr. Carolyn Haugen, Superintendent of Shaw Island School District. Spellers were judged by Lauren Stara, Director of the San Jan Island Library, and Catherine Barnhart, Chair of the English Department, Spring Street International School. Dictionary services were provided by Kate and Dori Sears. The top-secret word list and speller coaching was provided by Jack McKenna, Director of Griffin Bay School. Event coordination was provided by Mike Close, Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands.

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A Pandemic Flu Primer for the Islands

(Dr. James and Brendan Cowan -standing- before the County Council)

A second presentation and work shop was held by the County Council on the possible impacts of an avian flu ("bird flu") on San Juan County. The presentation was made by the SJC Health Officer Dr. Frank James, and Brendan Cowan, Director of the County Department of Emergency Management. While the thought of the avian flu coming to San Juan County is of concern, both James and Cowan stressed that the end result would not be expected to result in massive infections and deaths. The forecast is based on the historical record of past pandemic outbreaks.

Dr. James has prepared a list of questions and answers on the flu, and they are presented below


By Dr. Frank James

Natural disasters were in the news in 2005. Tsunamis, hurricanes, and earthquakes dominated headlines, but the past year also saw the issue of avian flu on front pages and newscasts. In 2006, we're likely to see even more attention focused on the development of the disease and efforts to prepare. Given the onslaught of information, not all of which is accurate or consistent, we here in the islands are left with a logical question: "What does it mean for us locally?"

In order to help answer that concern, we've put together some frequently asked questions:
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