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Dragon ship skipper
This statue marks the homestead of Erik the Red in
ICeland. Jean Springer of Shelton will present a lec-
tttre on the "Route of the Vikings" on Saturday, Feb-
17, the third in her series of travel adventures
,0Sted by the local historical society. The program
Uleludes slides and narrative and will begin at 2 p.m.
[ [i at the Mason County Historical Society Museum, 427
i[iiW.est Railroad Avenue in downtown Shelton. Admis-
: free of charge.
111 puts area on
laew college tracl :
.t a,'e 00oo00t, ng a
l[ Would direct the Higher Edu-
".]i'°f n Coordinating Board to ad-
|]]y s higher education needs in
v k.%?°, n and other counties by estab-
,- | alag a four-year college in Kit-
| OUnty.
|! te Senator Tim Sheldon, D-
|i_tch, is a sponsor of Senate
5978 Other sponsors are state
I q%t0rs I)erek Kilmer, D-Gig Har-
d Phil Rockefeller, D-Bain-
_ Island. The measure asks
ard to evaluate the need for a
'laureate-granting institution
K,|lOple
.... e living in Mason, Kitsap,
"'.,rSon and Clallam counties.
/eldon sits on the Senate, High-
igducation Committee. Its a
s that we need to get sta ,rt, ed,
at s what the bill does, he
,.It starts us down that road.
.!t happen today? No. But we re
toward the future.
er, who is vice chair of the
tee, is the bill's prime spon-
.i' ae most important driver for
wth is education," he said.
nployers need skilled work-
1 COmpete and our workers
need skills. It's time we start mov-
ing forward on ensuring we have
the capacity here in our region to
provide the education opportunities
that our workers and our business-
es need today - and tomorrow."
The bill would direct the board
to assemble a local advisory com-
mittee consisting of local education
and business leaders and local law-
makers to develop preliminary rec-
ommendations to the legislature by
January of next year and final rec-
ommendations by December of 2008.
"This is one of the first steps in
the process to meeting the edu-
cational needs of the peninsula,"
Rockefeller said. "Edhcation is the
cornerstone of our economy and of
our community. With an economy
that is becoming increasingly reli-
ant on baccalaureate degrees, this
effort's time has come."
The bill was introduced on
Thursday and will be referred to
the Senate committee. "It's time
to spread education funding to the
areas that are less served. This is
a good first step in that direction,"
Sheldon said.
00irds count on the
and the beach
#01tLteers
are needed to moni-
birds in South Puget
3dning will be given in Shelton
aturday to persons interested
eking with the Coastal Obser-
a and Seabird Survey Team.
kaown as COASST, this is a
who prefer to count these creatures
while they're on the wing are in-
vited to participate in the Great
Backyard Bird Count, which runs
February 16-19 throughout the
U.S. and Canada.
Open to beginners and expert
birders alike, participants simply
Harstine Island:
'.al sig[ .ting no red herring
By JOHN COOPER
A great hubbub took place on
Harstine Island at approximately
3 p.m. on Friday, in the vicinity of
the spit at Dougall Point.
Jan Avery, security officer for
Hartstene Pointe, arrived on the
scene and concluded there was
nothing she could do to stop the
activity of the mob that had ar-
rived. All she could do was keep an
eye on what was happening and
report later on what she had seen.
For 30 or 40 minutes she watched
as offshore the waters of Case In-
let seemed to be "fiercely boiling '
as countless small, silvery fish
churned the surface. In awe she
observed seven eagles, hundreds
of gulls and three-to-four dozen
seals, of all sizes feasting on the
large school of fish, possibly small
herring.
Remarkable senses of sight and
smell, as well as hearing, enabled
the birds and sea mammals to
home-in on the spot where a feast
awaited. With our orcas vacation-
ing in the waters off California
they were able o eat their fill and
not be eaten.
Not all the news on the nature
front is as exciting, but nonetheless
it is interesting. Several islanders
have mentioned to me that many
more towhees are visiting feeders
than has usually been the case.
One island resident said that 12
towhees were counted at the feed-
ers at one occasion and opined the
full total of such visitors might be
as high as 16.
ANOTHER THING that peo-
ple often say to us is, "We saw a
different kind of bird in our garden
today." In this day and age, one
should remember the disclaimer
in many bird books that says avi-
ans generally follow a usual mi-
gratory route but there are always
exceptions. Specimens that ordi-
narily do not visit our area may
do so. The other day one Harstiner
speaking about a returning house
finch said there was one bird that
was "red all over." Possibly it was
a purple finch that looks, as one
writer described it, "like a sparrow
dipped in raspberry juice."
Bear with us now as we say a
word or too about the island's resi-
dent bruin. We have not received
any report of the creature having
been seen recently. However, we
have heard that bear droppings
have been found, sometimes fairly
close to residences. In other cas-
es there have been bird feeders
pawed and damaged, with one on
a metal pole being bent over.
Uneasy about such activity one
resident called the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife
to see what could be done. In an-
swer to the question, "If I see the
bear can I shoot it?" The response
was, "no." Where we live is natu-
ral habitat for bears and as long
as the creatures are not aggressive
or life-threatening it is not accept-
stance where a black bear attacks
a human or displays behavior that
constitutes an urgent human safe-
ty concern, a state enforcement of-
ricer will respond immediately and
euthanize the bear. In the event of
a human safety concern, the offi-
cer has the option of immobilizing,
marking and relocating the bear.
This may be done one time only in
lieu of killing the animal.
When a bear causes the loss of
livestock, the officer will respond
within 24 hours to euthanize or
immobilize the animal. In cases
where there is potential threat to
livestock or where there is bear be-
havior that is a nuisance, an officer
of the state will provide consulta-
tion regarding responsible precau-
tions. The caller will be advised to:
secure and manage garbage in a
manner that will not attract wild-
life; remove or manage barbecues,
fallen fruit, pet food, bee hives and
bird feeders which produce odors
that attract animals; and not make
a practice of feeding wild animals.
Latimer's Landing on Pickering
Passage at the mainland end of the
Harstine Island Bridge is a busy
place which serves as a launching
site for boaters from both ends of
the span. A severe windstorm de-
stroyed the dock during the late
fall of 2005. Those who inquired
about when it would be repaired
were told that it would be placed
on the project list for last year,
2006. Repairs were not made.
Boating season for 2007 is in
the offing and some folks are be-
ginning to wonder when repairs
will be made to this facility, which
is used by boaters, fishermen and
the general public.
AN INQUIRY elicited a reply
from John Keates of the county
parks department who indicated
officials have been working on
obtaining the required permits
to complete the job. Three weeks
ago they made a presentation to
the hearing examiner in Shelton
and they hope to receive approval
to move forward with the renova-
tion.
The permitting process brought
to light a few conditions that lim-
it a window of the construction
time and call for additional proj-
ect oversight. With all that taken
into consideration, officials hope
the job will be completed this year.
Information to this effect has been
given to the Mason County Com-
mission. Those who use Latimer's
Landing will look forward to see-
ing the repair work on the dock
start in the not too distant future.
Word from Bill Prastka is that
the new Prostate Cancer Support
(Please turn to page 33.)
Thank You
to all the local businesses, friends,
family, neighbors, and community
members who helped us to achieve our
goal of running in and completing our
first marathon. The Pacific Shoreline
Marathon took place on Sunday,
February 4, 2007 in Huntington Beach,
California, and we succeeded in not
only finishing, but in surpassing our
goal of finishing in under five hours,
both of us coming in at 4:27.
Thanks Again,
Ally Ducker and Breana Chavez
Anytime Fitness
A Scoop Above
Gateway Property
Management
KMAS
Losall Antique Dolls
Lynch Creek Floral
Optical Shop
Prudential NW Real Estate
That Dean General Contractor
Safeway
Walmart
Ken Chavez
Brian Ducker
Tanya Ducker
Barbara Hubbard
Alvin Lester
Jean Lester
Tami Lester
Carolyn Saltz
Yoga atCla,,.W00 ' '
Litile Skookum Community Hall \\;...li,.,,. "
3480 SE Lynch Road :!
Each Monday 7-8:30 p.m.
$6 per session, ages 12 and over if
Aft levels of experience welcome .
Questions: Jeri 427-3926
.n Science project of the Uni- count the highest number of each able to shoot them.
. ity of Washington in partner- bird species they see during the Somewhat frustrated, the horn-
With the Olym__pic Coast Na- count dates. Sightings may be made downer asked what could be done Ir _ 111
when one ofthe creatures damaged II [ t3 A ¢¢ T II
Marine Sanctuary. from homes, schoolyards, parks or
LUASST works with people in wildlife refuges. Tallies and loca- property. The response did not II I k t] LY ] | it
P communities to monitor the tions will be posted on the Web site cheer up the islander. The advice 1 -- "" f:": ....... -- l|
ofrna
rind ecosystems in the at www.birdsource.org/gbbc, given was to stop feeding the birds E The UW Coastal Observation and Seabird [11
,c,. Northwest. The goal is to This Web site will provide its and ...... have nothing edible where it |i Survey Team is looking for volunteers to il
pml_., ve the marine environment visitors with a real-time snapshot coum De accessea Dy a Dear ........ .... . : ...... ....
Idingontheinformationgath- of birds counted throughout North ........ |l monitor marine btrds m south Puget Sound. I II
I:d.t)ng long-term monitoring. America. WE CHECKED on the Depart- II .. ........ ....... II
Trammg session
ment of Fish and Wildlife and |i ' .... ............... ............. ........ i|
mi'ng will be held in the The Great Backyard Bird Count found that although responses l[ Shelton Public LtbraMtlRoom [I
_;-s room of the William G. is organized by the National Audu- may be frustrating they are predi- E ........ : SaturdayrFeb:::1:7i!0i30a:30 pm II
cated on a considered policy These .............. ..... :::::
FAldlblic Library at Seventh bon Society and the Cornell Lab of n.ll.i. ,h,, la ho l,,wn ,r i. IJ Contact: info@coasst.org, 206-221-6893 I
der in Shelton from 10:30 Ornithology. Last year participants
l;' 4:30 p m February 17 submitted more than 60,000 check- " .............................. " "" "
or ra "" "
Ir,,rore information, contact lists while reporting sightings of
l[ _ Uolliver by e-mail at info@ more than 7.5 million birds and
l.t'°rgor call 206-221-6893 623 different species. Results are
ASST
l,A$! has been counting used to help track bird populations
,lleabirds as a way of gauging and to better inform those making
t. Persons conservation efforts.
Vegetarian Cooking Classes c,,<S,NO
[ /1 quick, healthy meals?
i: ant to save money?
lerience feeling better?
e rn quick, easy vegetarian recipes
r, desserts and drinks
Die each delicious recipe
r horne a folder of recipes
, Thursday, March 1,8 and 15 * 6:30-8:00 pm
. , Shelton Civic Center (Cota St.)
i )Per night or $10 for all 3 classes includes food and materials
I * Space is limited •
I Call Chriss at 426-5242 or Eileen at 427-1073
] Lsented Shelton Adventist Church
by
Seventh-day
". '
4
OPEN:
SUN - WED
10AM - 12AM
THURS - SAT
10AM - 2AM
In The Pound
Froe 8pe.lm on the 24th
19330 N.HWY 101
SHELTON, WA. 98584
(360) 877-5656
Thursday, February 15, 2007 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 31
Dragon ship skipper
This statue marks the homestead of Erik the Red in
ICeland. Jean Springer of Shelton will present a lec-
tttre on the "Route of the Vikings" on Saturday, Feb-
17, the third in her series of travel adventures
,0Sted by the local historical society. The program
Uleludes slides and narrative and will begin at 2 p.m.
[ [i at the Mason County Historical Society Museum, 427
i[iiW.est Railroad Avenue in downtown Shelton. Admis-
: free of charge.
111 puts area on
laew college tracl :
.t a,'e 00oo00t, ng a
l[ Would direct the Higher Edu-
".]i'°f n Coordinating Board to ad-
|]]y s higher education needs in
v k.%?°, n and other counties by estab-
,- | alag a four-year college in Kit-
| OUnty.
|! te Senator Tim Sheldon, D-
|i_tch, is a sponsor of Senate
5978 Other sponsors are state
I q%t0rs I)erek Kilmer, D-Gig Har-
d Phil Rockefeller, D-Bain-
_ Island. The measure asks
ard to evaluate the need for a
'laureate-granting institution
K,|lOple
.... e living in Mason, Kitsap,
"'.,rSon and Clallam counties.
/eldon sits on the Senate, High-
igducation Committee. Its a
s that we need to get sta ,rt, ed,
at s what the bill does, he
,.It starts us down that road.
.!t happen today? No. But we re
toward the future.
er, who is vice chair of the
tee, is the bill's prime spon-
.i' ae most important driver for
wth is education," he said.
nployers need skilled work-
1 COmpete and our workers
need skills. It's time we start mov-
ing forward on ensuring we have
the capacity here in our region to
provide the education opportunities
that our workers and our business-
es need today - and tomorrow."
The bill would direct the board
to assemble a local advisory com-
mittee consisting of local education
and business leaders and local law-
makers to develop preliminary rec-
ommendations to the legislature by
January of next year and final rec-
ommendations by December of 2008.
"This is one of the first steps in
the process to meeting the edu-
cational needs of the peninsula,"
Rockefeller said. "Edhcation is the
cornerstone of our economy and of
our community. With an economy
that is becoming increasingly reli-
ant on baccalaureate degrees, this
effort's time has come."
The bill was introduced on
Thursday and will be referred to
the Senate committee. "It's time
to spread education funding to the
areas that are less served. This is
a good first step in that direction,"
Sheldon said.
00irds count on the
and the beach
#01tLteers
are needed to moni-
birds in South Puget
3dning will be given in Shelton
aturday to persons interested
eking with the Coastal Obser-
a and Seabird Survey Team.
kaown as COASST, this is a
who prefer to count these creatures
while they're on the wing are in-
vited to participate in the Great
Backyard Bird Count, which runs
February 16-19 throughout the
U.S. and Canada.
Open to beginners and expert
birders alike, participants simply
Harstine Island:
'.al sig[ .ting no red herring
By JOHN COOPER
A great hubbub took place on
Harstine Island at approximately
3 p.m. on Friday, in the vicinity of
the spit at Dougall Point.
Jan Avery, security officer for
Hartstene Pointe, arrived on the
scene and concluded there was
nothing she could do to stop the
activity of the mob that had ar-
rived. All she could do was keep an
eye on what was happening and
report later on what she had seen.
For 30 or 40 minutes she watched
as offshore the waters of Case In-
let seemed to be "fiercely boiling '
as countless small, silvery fish
churned the surface. In awe she
observed seven eagles, hundreds
of gulls and three-to-four dozen
seals, of all sizes feasting on the
large school of fish, possibly small
herring.
Remarkable senses of sight and
smell, as well as hearing, enabled
the birds and sea mammals to
home-in on the spot where a feast
awaited. With our orcas vacation-
ing in the waters off California
they were able o eat their fill and
not be eaten.
Not all the news on the nature
front is as exciting, but nonetheless
it is interesting. Several islanders
have mentioned to me that many
more towhees are visiting feeders
than has usually been the case.
One island resident said that 12
towhees were counted at the feed-
ers at one occasion and opined the
full total of such visitors might be
as high as 16.
ANOTHER THING that peo-
ple often say to us is, "We saw a
different kind of bird in our garden
today." In this day and age, one
should remember the disclaimer
in many bird books that says avi-
ans generally follow a usual mi-
gratory route but there are always
exceptions. Specimens that ordi-
narily do not visit our area may
do so. The other day one Harstiner
speaking about a returning house
finch said there was one bird that
was "red all over." Possibly it was
a purple finch that looks, as one
writer described it, "like a sparrow
dipped in raspberry juice."
Bear with us now as we say a
word or too about the island's resi-
dent bruin. We have not received
any report of the creature having
been seen recently. However, we
have heard that bear droppings
have been found, sometimes fairly
close to residences. In other cas-
es there have been bird feeders
pawed and damaged, with one on
a metal pole being bent over.
Uneasy about such activity one
resident called the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife
to see what could be done. In an-
swer to the question, "If I see the
bear can I shoot it?" The response
was, "no." Where we live is natu-
ral habitat for bears and as long
as the creatures are not aggressive
or life-threatening it is not accept-
stance where a black bear attacks
a human or displays behavior that
constitutes an urgent human safe-
ty concern, a state enforcement of-
ricer will respond immediately and
euthanize the bear. In the event of
a human safety concern, the offi-
cer has the option of immobilizing,
marking and relocating the bear.
This may be done one time only in
lieu of killing the animal.
When a bear causes the loss of
livestock, the officer will respond
within 24 hours to euthanize or
immobilize the animal. In cases
where there is potential threat to
livestock or where there is bear be-
havior that is a nuisance, an officer
of the state will provide consulta-
tion regarding responsible precau-
tions. The caller will be advised to:
secure and manage garbage in a
manner that will not attract wild-
life; remove or manage barbecues,
fallen fruit, pet food, bee hives and
bird feeders which produce odors
that attract animals; and not make
a practice of feeding wild animals.
Latimer's Landing on Pickering
Passage at the mainland end of the
Harstine Island Bridge is a busy
place which serves as a launching
site for boaters from both ends of
the span. A severe windstorm de-
stroyed the dock during the late
fall of 2005. Those who inquired
about when it would be repaired
were told that it would be placed
on the project list for last year,
2006. Repairs were not made.
Boating season for 2007 is in
the offing and some folks are be-
ginning to wonder when repairs
will be made to this facility, which
is used by boaters, fishermen and
the general public.
AN INQUIRY elicited a reply
from John Keates of the county
parks department who indicated
officials have been working on
obtaining the required permits
to complete the job. Three weeks
ago they made a presentation to
the hearing examiner in Shelton
and they hope to receive approval
to move forward with the renova-
tion.
The permitting process brought
to light a few conditions that lim-
it a window of the construction
time and call for additional proj-
ect oversight. With all that taken
into consideration, officials hope
the job will be completed this year.
Information to this effect has been
given to the Mason County Com-
mission. Those who use Latimer's
Landing will look forward to see-
ing the repair work on the dock
start in the not too distant future.
Word from Bill Prastka is that
the new Prostate Cancer Support
(Please turn to page 33.)
Thank You
to all the local businesses, friends,
family, neighbors, and community
members who helped us to achieve our
goal of running in and completing our
first marathon. The Pacific Shoreline
Marathon took place on Sunday,
February 4, 2007 in Huntington Beach,
California, and we succeeded in not
only finishing, but in surpassing our
goal of finishing in under five hours,
both of us coming in at 4:27.
Thanks Again,
Ally Ducker and Breana Chavez
Anytime Fitness
A Scoop Above
Gateway Property
Management
KMAS
Losall Antique Dolls
Lynch Creek Floral
Optical Shop
Prudential NW Real Estate
That Dean General Contractor
Safeway
Walmart
Ken Chavez
Brian Ducker
Tanya Ducker
Barbara Hubbard
Alvin Lester
Jean Lester
Tami Lester
Carolyn Saltz
Yoga atCla,,.W00 ' '
Litile Skookum Community Hall \\;...li,.,,. "
3480 SE Lynch Road :!
Each Monday 7-8:30 p.m.
$6 per session, ages 12 and over if
Aft levels of experience welcome .
Questions: Jeri 427-3926
.n Science project of the Uni- count the highest number of each able to shoot them.
. ity of Washington in partner- bird species they see during the Somewhat frustrated, the horn-
With the Olym__pic Coast Na- count dates. Sightings may be made downer asked what could be done Ir _ 111
when one ofthe creatures damaged II [ t3 A ¢¢ T II
Marine Sanctuary. from homes, schoolyards, parks or
LUASST works with people in wildlife refuges. Tallies and loca- property. The response did not II I k t] LY ] | it
P communities to monitor the tions will be posted on the Web site cheer up the islander. The advice 1 -- "" f:": ....... -- l|
ofrna
rind ecosystems in the at www.birdsource.org/gbbc, given was to stop feeding the birds E The UW Coastal Observation and Seabird [11
,c,. Northwest. The goal is to This Web site will provide its and ...... have nothing edible where it |i Survey Team is looking for volunteers to il
pml_., ve the marine environment visitors with a real-time snapshot coum De accessea Dy a Dear ........ .... . : ...... ....
Idingontheinformationgath- of birds counted throughout North ........ |l monitor marine btrds m south Puget Sound. I II
I:d.t)ng long-term monitoring. America. WE CHECKED on the Depart- II .. ........ ....... II
Trammg session
ment of Fish and Wildlife and |i ' .... ............... ............. ........ i|
mi'ng will be held in the The Great Backyard Bird Count found that although responses l[ Shelton Public LtbraMtlRoom [I
_;-s room of the William G. is organized by the National Audu- may be frustrating they are predi- E ........ : SaturdayrFeb:::1:7i!0i30a:30 pm II
cated on a considered policy These .............. ..... :::::
FAldlblic Library at Seventh bon Society and the Cornell Lab of n.ll.i. ,h,, la ho l,,wn ,r i. IJ Contact: info@coasst.org, 206-221-6893 I
der in Shelton from 10:30 Ornithology. Last year participants
l;' 4:30 p m February 17 submitted more than 60,000 check- " .............................. " "" "
or ra "" "
Ir,,rore information, contact lists while reporting sightings of
l[ _ Uolliver by e-mail at info@ more than 7.5 million birds and
l.t'°rgor call 206-221-6893 623 different species. Results are
ASST
l,A$! has been counting used to help track bird populations
,lleabirds as a way of gauging and to better inform those making
t. Persons conservation efforts.
Vegetarian Cooking Classes c,,<S,NO
[ /1 quick, healthy meals?
i: ant to save money?
lerience feeling better?
e rn quick, easy vegetarian recipes
r, desserts and drinks
Die each delicious recipe
r horne a folder of recipes
, Thursday, March 1,8 and 15 * 6:30-8:00 pm
. , Shelton Civic Center (Cota St.)
i )Per night or $10 for all 3 classes includes food and materials
I * Space is limited •
I Call Chriss at 426-5242 or Eileen at 427-1073
] Lsented Shelton Adventist Church
by
Seventh-day
". '
4
OPEN:
SUN - WED
10AM - 12AM
THURS - SAT
10AM - 2AM
In The Pound
Froe 8pe.lm on the 24th
19330 N.HWY 101
SHELTON, WA. 98584
(360) 877-5656
Thursday, February 15, 2007 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Page 31