Sehome High School Bellingham

Sailor wants to teach more people to enjoy Bellingham Bay

Pedlow recently became executive director of the Community Boating Center in Fairhaven, where he and his staff offer classes in kayaking, sailing, rowing and stand-up paddle boarding.

A 1998 Sehome High School graduate, Pedlow served as head sailing coach for four universities before he turned 30 last year. He competed at the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated in 2002 with a degree in environmental science.

He was sailing team captain for three years with nationally ranked teams, and was named "Sportsman of the Year" as a senior by the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association of North America.

Pedlow and Kari Sachs were married Aug. 6. She works at Sendan Center, a Bellingham counseling center for students with autism and related disorders.

Question: What's going on at the Community Boating Center?

Answer: The center recently celebrated its fifth birthday. It's a community-run nonprofit at the site of the old Fairhaven Boatworks. We work only with nonmotorized boats. We offer everything from "learn to" programs to classes for highly experience sailors. We offer about 15 classes in all, typically covering four days over two weeks, both half-day and all-day.

Q: What's your most extensive program?

A: Our kayaking curriculum is very well developed, and there's a lot of demand for that. I'm coming on board to develop our sailing programs. Another big component is our cold-water safety program.

Q: What's your primary goal?

A: Bellingham is an outstanding place to be on the water, so our No. 1 goal is to help the community to learn better how they can enjoy the bay. It's just a tremendous way of using a wonderful resource that is underutilized in Bellingham.

Q: How will you make sailing more accessible to people who can't afford vessels?

A: We'll be emphasizing accessibility. If you have $20, you can rent a sailboat, as long as you know how to swim and wear the proper safety equipment. We have four dinghies, one keelboat, six stand-up paddle boards and more than 20 kayaks available to rent. We really want everyone to see how much fun being on the water can be.

Mentors sought for Sehome, Options high school students - Local ...

Communities in Schools of Whatcom County is looking for adults to mentor Sehome and Options high school students during the 2011-12 school year.

Mentors in the See You In School High School Mentoring Program must be at least 18 years old and able to meet with their student for an hour each week for the entire school year.

All volunteers must attend a two-hour training and pass a background check.

For more information, or to volunteer, send an email to remara.koppel@bellinghamschools.org or call 360-778-3759. People also can come to one of the upcoming mentor trainings at the Opportunity Council at 6 p.m. on Aug. 16 and 31.

For more information about Communities in Schools of Whatcom County, an organization focused on keeping students in school, visit ciswhatcom.org .

Mentors needed for high school drop-out prevention program (School Days Blog)

Communities in Schools of Whatcom County is looking for adults to mentor Sehome and Options high school students during the 2011-12 school year as part of the See You In School High School Mentoring Program.

Mentors must be at least 18 years old and be able to meet with their student for an hour each week for the entire school year.

To read more on the School Days Blog, click here.

Exchange student host families needed for 2011-12 school year

The nonprofit ASSE Student Exchange Program is looking for host families for high school students for the 2011-12 school year.

Students will be 15-18 years old and will be here for either a semester or full school year. Families can choose students from a variety of countries and backgrounds.

Exchange students are insured, have their own spending money and are screened by ASSE.

Comments with web links or photos are not accepted to avoid linking to inappropriate sites. If you wish to send readers to other material, use (dot) within your URL or suggest search terms to use.

School, the story of American public education

If You Take a Mouse to School

School

A Fine, Fine School

High fidelity