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NEWS | Former county council candidate pleads guilty to theft [2] ARTS | ‘Glass Menagerie’ at the theater [9] SPORTS | Five inducted into football hall of fame [20]
WEDNESDAY, October 7, 2015 n VOL. 108, NO. 40 n 75¢
Stand against violence
Farm parade kicks off fall fun By Anna V. Smith Journal reporter
By Colleen Smith Armstrong Publisher
It takes a community to prevent, recognize and end violence in the home. “Domestic violence is something that places like the school, churches and family resource centers all see too – it’s not just DVSAS and the sheriff ’s office,” said Kim Bryan, director for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of the San Juan Islands. In honor of domestic violence awareness month this October, DVSAS is presenting events and raising awareness through outreach. Domestic violence is defined as “the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault and or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sex-
Staff photos/ Anna V. Smith
Scenes from Saturday’s Farm Parade. To see more photos of this fun fall event visit www. sanjuanjournal. com and click on the news tab.
See AWARENESS, Page 4
Saturday’s Farm Parade marked another indication that fall has arrived to the islands. The parade featured local farmers and supporters in trucks, on horses and on foot. This year’s theme was “Let my people grow.” People carried stalks of amaranth, pulled pigs in carts and drove trucks of bamboo in the parade. A number of banners and signs bearers took the occasion to voice opinions on recent issues like greenhouse regulations (No farms no food: Greenhouses forever) and the ongoing lawsuit against Fieldstone Farms that shut down marijuana grow facility San Juan Sun Grown last December (Let Jenny Farm). The lawsuit has gone on for almost one year, despite the closure of San Juan Sun Grown last year. Sweet Earth Farms, Horseshu Ranch, Wild Bird Bamboo, and Heritage Farm were a few participants in the parade that looped around to Brickworks for a chili cook-off and live music. Jake Beliveau was named the winner of the chili cook off. For more photos visit www.sanjuanjournal.com
Schools prepare for earthquake By Cali Bagby Journal editor
This October states across the nation will be participating in the Great Shake Out earthquake drill. “Being prepared is simple and straight forward,” said Brendan Cowan, director of San Juan County’s Department of Emergency Management. On Oct. 15, at 10:15 a.m, participants practice drop, cover and hold. It is also a time to review quake preparedness efforts. By signing up, you will receive information and reminders. This year, Cowan is excited that all of the public school districts in the islands are signed up. Stillpoint School, a private elementary school on San Juan is also participating.
“The schools are our most responsive and willing partners,” said Cowan. On Orcas, several members of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue will be on campus following the drill right next to students. “Keeping students safe and preparing them for a safe and bright future is our mission as educators,” said Orcas School District Superintendent Eric Webb. “Participating in this national shakedown drill is paramount to that mission.” For superintendent of San Juan Island School District Danna Diaz, earthquake drills are imperative to design, organize and practice what to do when an earthquake strikes. “Most importantly, it is critical that we have a strategy in place to
communicate with families and the community during the emergency,” said Diaz. Her district has created an emergency preparedness committee. If you want to serve on the committee email at dannadaiz@ sjisd.wednet.edu. “I look forward to creating a plan for our students and employees that will ensure everyone is safe and united with their loved ones,” she said. Lopez School Superintendent Brian Auckland said practicing for any emergency helps students follow a planned emergency routine that will keep them safe, establish a pattern of good choices and create a sense of orderliness. “These patterns help to reduce student anxiety, fear, and emo-
tional stress,” he added. “It is beneficial to practice each possible emergency with a sincere approach that outlines the importance of everyone’s safety.” Cowan said that often when kids are taught something their parents will learn by extension. Plus kids will carry this idea of being prepared for the rest of their lives. “We know it’s going to happen,” he said. “We have 100 percent certainty it will happen so I want to build earthquake preparedness into our culture.” According to the DEM’s webpage entitled Common Tsunami Questions, “In the most likely scenario, San Juan County will have plenty of warning (due to the See QUAKE, Page 4
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