Scene
14 — Wednesday, December 26, 2012
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Guest Column
A way to honor the fallen — by name Since two recent tragedies share the same name, ‘Sandy’, perhaps the next baby orca should share it, too By Jenny L. Atkinson
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The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
We at The Whale Museum are saddened along with our nation by the events that transpired last week in Connecticut and we would like to be part of the healing process. As an organization, we are discussing appropriate ways to honor the victims. This week, there has been a conversation about naming a whale in honor of one of the victims of this tragedy, Jessica Rekos. A story aired last evening on King 5 News. Many of us first fell in love with the orcas as 6-year-olds, like Jessica. Through The Whale Museum’s Orca Adoption Program, the Southern Resident orcas are named once they approach one year in age. Naming of the whales began in 1984 in order to develop connections with people and promote the stewardship of whales. The Southern Resident community of orcas is a wild, distinct population that lives in Pacific Northwest waters, including the inland waters of the Salish Sea. There are only 84 whales in this community, with very few babies born each year. In 2006, National Marine Fisheries Service listed the Southern Resident community as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. They have been similarly listed in Canada since 2001. The small size of this population, along with pollution, dwindling salmon stocks and potential vessel impacts were cited as reasons for the listing. The fact that the population of J, K and L pods has not exhibited sustained growth in the
Calendar
Continued from page 11 Drop-in fee, $3 per person, $8 family. Info, 378-4953, www.islandrec.org.
Monday, Dec. 31 Island Rec New Year’s Eve Celebration, 7-9 p.m., Mullis Community Center, 589 Nash St.; annual alcohol-free celebration features music, dancing, games, contests, activities. .
ORCAS ISLAND SPORTSMEN CLUB
2013 SHOOTING SCHEDULE JANUARY APRIL A: 6, 20 A: 7, 21 B: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 B: 3, 10, 17, 24 F: 1, 12, 26 F: 13, 27 FEBRUARY A: 3, 17 B: 6, 13, 20, 27 F: 9, 23
A: B: E: F:
MARCH 3, 17 6, 13, 20, 27 16 9, 23, 30
A: B: E: G:
MAY 5, 19 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 4 11, 25, 27
JUNE A: 2, 16 B: 5, 12, 19, 26 G: 8, 22
A: 10AM - 6PM (EXCEPT 12-1) B: NOON - 2PM E: 10AM - 6PM (SPECIAL DAY) F: 10AM - 4PM G: 10AM - 6PM
Drop-in Badminton & Ping Pong , 8-10 p.m., Turnbull Gym. Ages 16 and up; $2 drop-in fee. Info, 378-4953, www.islandrec.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 2 Drop-in Badminton & Ping Pong , 8-10 p.m., Turnbull Gym. Ages 16 and up; $2 drop-in fee. Info, 378-4953, www.islandrec.org.
Thursday, Jan. 3 Lapsit & Linger, 10-11 a.m., library, free. Caregivers, infants, toddlers learn rhymes, songs and finger play. Info, 378-2798, www. sjlib.org.
ANSWERS TO PUZZLES
last 35 years also concerns researchers. Environmental education may be the strongest ally the orcas have. It is only through an understanding of the whales' needs for habitat and food resources that we can develop the conservation policies which will ensure their survival. We became aware of the irony of two recent tragedies in our nation connected with the name “Sandy”: Hurricane Sandy’s devastation of parts of the eastern seaboard and the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The Whale Museum would like to consider honoring the victims and survivors of both tragedies by proposing the name “Sandy” for an orca in the Southern Resident community. A whale is given a name during the summer following its birth. Due to the fragility of this population of endangered orcas and high mortality rate for calves, we typically wait for a winter season to pass before going through the naming process. In the summer, names are recommended for any baby whales to be named; public voting takes place shortly after. We have great hopes that there will be a baby orca to name next summer. If that’s the case, we could propose the name “Sandy” in honor of victims and survivors of both of these tragic events. Many of us view the Southern Resident orcas as symbols of hope and healing. Presently, The Whale Museum plans to give a commemorative adoption to Sandy Hook Elementary School for the benefit of all the teachers, students and administration to use as part of their healing and education. — Editor’s note: Jenny Atkinson is executive director of The Whale Museum
School’s Out Special Game afternoon, 1-3 p.m., library, free. Entertaining activities for children K-6; drop in. Info, 378-2798, www.sjlib. org.
Friday, Jan. 4 Family Film Night, 7 p.m., library, free. Library kicks off 7th Family Film Night season with screening of “Brave”. Popcorn, refreshments, courtesy of Fridends of the Library. Info, 378-2798, www. sjlib.org.
Saturday, Jan. 5 Scooter & Trike time, 5-6:30 p.m., fairgrounds building. Drop-in fee, $3 per person, $8 family. Helmets required;
kids under 10 accompanied by an adult. Info, 378-4953, www.islandrec.org. Cosmic Skate, 7-8:30 p.m., fairgrounds. Open skate with dance lights. BYO helmets and skates. Drop-in fee, $3 per person, $8 family. Under age 10 accompanied by an adult. Info, 378-4953, www.islandrec.org. Writing Workshop with Susan Wingate, 1-4 p.m., library, free. Wingate, awardwinning local author, offers free 6-week writing workshop, beginning with, ‘Three Key Elements of a Scene’; register at 378-2798, or, kbabbitt@sjlib.org. Info, 3782798, www.sjlib.org.
GET YOUR 2¢ HEARD.
Are your hoping for snow for New Years? VOTE ON
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