Dance team qualifies for national contest

The Burlington-Edison High School dance team has qualified with a superior rating to compete in the Universal Dance Association 2009 National Dance Team Championship the last weekend of January at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.

Coach Susie Perry and the B-EHS team attended the Aug. 1-4 UDA summer camp at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. Association staff taught the team dance routines and proper technique and conditioning while emphasizing team growth and improvement.

After spending four days learning three new dance routines, team members demonstrated their skills in individual competitions, earning ribbons for each routine. The entire team was given a Superior trophy and qualified to compete at the national competitions.

B-EHS team members are Krysten Archer, Jessica Bajema, Nicole Bradshaw, Deriane Colglazier, Brandyn Comparan, Jocelyn Corker, Jessica Evans, Taylor Frizzell, Kristi Hargrove, Sassi Jarvela, Maranda Kelly, Mallori Martinez, Gabriella McArthur, Haley Miller, Kate Moore, Annarose O’Brien-Wilson, Jessica O’dell, Brianne Palmer, Cassandra Reyna, Jessica Roozekrans, Kaylee Shaffer and Lacey Wallace.

The dancers are working on a plan to raise the approximately $1,100 each girl will need for trip expenses.





WSU announces new stewardship director

Don Meehan has been named to the new statewide position of director of the WSU Extension Natural Resources Stewardship Program. Director of WSU Island County Extension for 26 years, Meehan will officially assume his new role Oct. 1.

“I’ll continue to support and look after Island County in my new role, but now I’ll be responsible for 38 more counties,” Meehan said.

In the late 1980s, Meehan came up with the concept for the Puget Sound Beach Watchers program — modeled after the WSU Master Gardeners — providing expert training in exchange for a commitment of volunteer hours. Launched in Island County in 1990, Beach Watchers has grown to a seven-county program with about 600 trained volunteers providing more than 30,000 hours of annual volunteer service doing research, education and outreach.

Meehan, 61, joined the WSU Extension in 1978 as an agent in Okanogan County. He moved to Island County in 1982 to serve as county extension director.

In his new role, Meehan will provide statewide leadership coordinating and directing the efforts of all WSU colleges and units, partner organizations and volunteer groups involved in the university’s Natural Resources Stewardship Program.

The program calls for improving the state’s economy and quality of life by applying science-based management to forests, rangelands, fish and wildlife habitat, and addressing the complex issues involved in assuring adequate and clean water supplies.



Arts fest announces its artist awards

A number of artists won awards at the 47th annual Anacortes Arts Festival held Aug. 1-3:

n Sarah Bergner of Anacortes was honored with the T Bailey Corporate Award.

n Stephen Bruce of Sacramento, Calif., won the $2,000 Best of the Fest booth artisan award for his large copper panels with colorful finishes and patinas.

n Painter Brian Kemkes of Bainbridge Island won the $1,000 People’s Choice Award selected by votes from about 4,000 visitors at the Art at the Port Exhibition.

n Arunas Oslapas of Bellingham won the $1,000 Creativity Award. Oslapas used recycled scrap metal to create baskets and wall art. He also received one of six Anacortes Chamber of Commerce Partnership Awards.

Other chamber honorees included Kathy and David Adamson of Newport, Ore.; Doug Mader of Dundee, Ore.; Judy Meddaugh of Spokane; Susanne Newbold of Clinton; and Marcia Peterson of Pousbo.

Anacortes Public Library, Island Hospital, Anacortes Parks and Recreation, John L. Scott and Windermere Real Estate purchased fine art with matching funds in the Anacortes Collects program, which provides up to $15,000 annually to place artwork in public locations.