Wilson Derby
Chevalier nets 20-pounder, grabs Week 2 lead page 16
Island Scene
Genius or madness— nature or nurture? Questions of ‘Proof’ page 9
Editorial
Use some common sense; make sure that load of trash is secured. page 7
Journal
The 75¢ Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Vol. 105 Issue 8
of the San Juan Islands
Sweet V-Day gift for schools
www.sanjuanjournal.com
Grace of touch when ‘Eagles’ fly By Theresa Simendinger Special to the Journal
A
Voters back schools cap-and-tech levy by 67 percent By Scott Rasmussen
There’s a new roof on the horizon at Friday Harbor Elementary School, as Valentine’s Day proved extra sweet for San Juan Island School District. On Feb. 14, San Juan Island voters renewed the district’s four-year capital and technology levy in a big numbers, backing the $3.7 million propertytax measure by a margin of 67 percent to 33 percent, with 2,964 ballots counted. About 55 ballots remained to be processed and tabulated, according to the county Elections department. “We’d like to get the roof on this summer, but it will depend on our cash flow,” district Superintendent Rick Thompson said. “It’s the biggest priority and the one we’re going to start on first.” Roughly 40 percent of the $3.7 million levy, which is nearly twice the amount of the district’s previous capital and technology levy, is earmarked for various repairs, replacements and upgrades at the elementary school. Installation of a new roof, now 25 year old, is anticiSee Election, Page 4
Journal photo / Scott Rasmussen
San Juan Island Eagles’ 2011 team; front to back , left; Vicky Thalacker holding proclamation, Teresa De Graaf, Jim Cox. Second row Dick Babbit, Mike Taylor, Art Miller, John Geyman, Lanny Carver
Tragic end; homeward bound
See EAgles, Page 4 The body of a 3-year-old killer whale, L112, which died of traumatic injuries, will be handed over to The Friday Harbor Whale Museum in the near future..
By Scott Rasmussen
The final resting place of L112 will be far from where the 3-yearold killer whale washed up on a beach in southern Washington, its body battered, bloodied and bruised. In fact, local marine biologists hope that, despite its sad end, the young female orca will add to a growing body of research and help spark even greater interest in the marine mammals after her remains are shuttled to San Juan
s a young girl, Vicky Thalacker watched the jets take off from nearby Sandpoint Naval Station and dreamed of the day that she would fly. At the age of 30, with encouragement of her husband, John, that dream came true. She earned a license to fly in 1977. “I studied harder than I ever had,” Thalacker recalls. “I wanted to be a pilot so much.” After years of flying John to his survey work, Vicky found a new calling. She envisioned a volunteer pilot group to fly cancer victims off island. Thalacker could relate as she had helped to transport a friend who battled cancer for 28 years. She considers flying cancer patients a blessing, helping others while doing something she loves. With Thalacker at point, the San Juan Eagles ten years ago started flying on their own time and on their own dime to help cancer patients living on the island. To get the group off the ground, Thalacker called a group of pilots in the San Juan Pilots Association and formed a group of 16 volunteers, including two women, and the Eagles held their first meeting in
Contributed photo / Center for Whale Research
Island. According to Amy Traxler of The Friday Harbor Whale Museum, coordinator of San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network, federal officials will turn over the remains of L112 to the museum sometime in
the next few weeks. Traxler said the museum intends to showcase L112’s skeleton as part of an educational exhibit that’s reminiscent of a grey whale that’s long-been on display. See L112, Page 4
2011 Special Award; Second Place: General Excellence from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association
Wolf Bauer
Acclaimed outdoorsman celebrates 100 years Saturday.