Soroptimists Awards Outstanding Women & Teens

(L to R: Tara Melborne, Soroptimist President Becki Day, Lainey Volk and Wynn Barnard at the Awards Luncheon)

The Violet Richardson Awards were presented at the Soroptimists' luncheon meeting on February 21, along with two other annual awards made by the Soroptimists.

The "Making A Difference Award" this year went to Lainey Volk, for her leadership on the Every 15 Minutes program. Lainey put together the program with massive coordination involving 27 organizations, 14 grants and over 200 volunteers. The program simulated a fatal car accident involving teens and alcohol, and involved mock rescue, medical, law enforcement, media, legal, court and funeral proceedings. Students are still talking about the event and according to some, "we know there are young women who have made positive choices as a result." Lainey's compassion and organizational skills have truly made a difference here in our community.

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SJ Library Hosts Discussion on Secrecy

Wrapping up a series of public discussion events this month, San Juan Island Library hosts "Betrayal, Lies, But No Videotape" on Sunday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The event involves Rev. West Davis, psychologist Barry Jacobson and psychosocial clinical nurse specialist Lenore Bayuk as the discussion panel. They will address the moral and ethical issues of lies and deception, the types of secrets we all keep, and the impact of lies and betrayal on relationships.

The Library has featured Graham Greene's spy novel The Human Factor in it's "San Juan Island Read" campaign this month, in conjunction with San Juan Community Theatre's production of Hugh Whitemore's spy thriller play Pack of Lies. Through a grant from the Humanities Washington, the discussion series has reviewed life in the islands in the 1950s and 60s, and discussed similarities and contrasts between the Cold War and the current war on terror.

San Juan Island Library is at 1010 Guard Street in Friday Harbor. 378-2798. For more information, call Merritt Olsen at San Juan Community Theatre, 378-2939, ext. 29.


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High School Auto Mechanics Class Rebuilds 78 Chev

By: Ann Thomas Templeton

(Clockwise: Brent Owens, Paul, Cliff, Oscar Soto, Matt Funke (under car) -photo-Angela Frye)
Local high school students succeeded on starting the engine of an old 1978 Chevrolet Caprice, the morning of February 16. The purring sound of an old island 1978 Bayliner boat engine used to get the hot rod running captivated students, instructors, and assistants. Every morning for the past seven weeks, volunteers and students restored this vehicle from start to finish at IPS on Carter Avenue.

This was the first Friday Harbor School auto mechanics class taught since the early 1990s. Auto mechanics was one of the many hands-on learning classes offered through the winter term. Such classes allowed students to explore their talents and interests outside required coursework.

Cecil Dent, Cliff Jeffries, and Charlie Meyer are the heroes among local teens. Volunteer instructors, Dent and Jeffries, gave of their time, patience, equipment, and supplies. The '78 Chevrolet Caprice breathed new life after spending years rotting in a field on Glenn Hargrove's property. The car was donated to help students learn how to work on cars. There is a growing demand for skilled auto technicians nationwide.



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United Way's Looking for a Volunteer Coordinator

"In it's ten year history, we've given out almost a million dollars, all to important programs right here in San Juan County", reports Bonnie Gilmore, Director of United Way of San Juan County. The locally autonomous board of Directors of United Way recently completed an assessment of their accomplishments and identified steps to move on to the next level in helping meet the ongoing human service needs of our communities. "Doing a good job of identifying needs, and looking at solutions that prevent problems rather than just offer a "Band-Aid" approach has been a priority with this hard working group", Gilmore continues. "Generating community supported funding for those solutions is what we have been about"
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Parents' Night Out Child Care

Orcas residents can go out to dinner -or just stay home- with their Valentine this Wednesday; but don't forget to pickup the children later in the evening after they have had a fun evening of pizza, fun, and movie in a well-supervised, safe setting, thanks to the Orcas Island Recreation Program.

Orcas Island Recreation Program invites parents to have a kidless evening while children enjoy an evening without their parents, but with other children, Valentine's Day Evening, Wednesday, February 14 (5:30-9:00 pm) At The Funhouse

The cost is $20 (reduced siblings price $35). R.S.V.P. @376-5339. (Drop-in okay)

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Mullis Center Fund Raising Dinner & Music

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Sign Up For Classes

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