The Port of Friday Harbor will participate in this year’s National Marina Day on June 8^th with a “Welcome to the Water” Marina Festival. Islanders and visitors are encouraged to discover or be reacquainted with the fun times of the boating lifestyle.

The Port’s festival will be held from 10am to 3pm on Front Street, directly behind the Port Office, and on the docks closest to shore. There will be a seafood chowder cook-off, a marine swap meet, live music and children’s activities. The Port will also have a raffle fundraiser for the Friday Harbor High School Sailing Team and the Friday Harbor Power Squadron will offer free vessel safety inspections.

This is a fantastic opportunity for island citizens and visitors who don’t have a boat to get out on the water for free. There will be free dinghy, kayak, paddle boat and electric Duffy boat rides—all provided by Friday Harbor Marine for this special event. The Port intends to make this waterfront festival an annual occasion, so stop by and get out on the water!

Last Friday night, May 17th, our family was the recipient of a fundraiser organized to assist my mother, Shann Weston with her medical costs as she undergoes treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The event was incredible for our family on so many levels.

We were so speechless seeing all of your talents on display – the quality of the auction items, the cooking and baking, the art and homegrown flower displays, the organizational cohesion, and musical talent, was staggering. And interwoven with your many talents is an altruistic spirit that can lift up and carry a family during the toughest of times. It is a rare and special gift our town has.

There was fun at the fairgrounds that night, and lots of it. Every single person in that building was someone we are always lucky to spend time with, and to have you all together at once, well, that was a plain honor. We are so lucky and so blessed and so appreciative to share an island with all of you. The fundraiser was a poignant and beautiful lesson in community involvement and we are rejuvenated by your love and support. With very full hearts, we will be trying to pay it forward.

Thank you for all your contributions, generosity, time, effort and talent. Know that every bit helps as my mom moves forward with her treatment. We are forever grateful.

- The Porten-Weston Family

L to R: Leah Altman, Jeff Altman and Ricarda Burnett in front of the new restaurant

Remember where Bistro Garden was over on Web Street? Jeff Altman is opening a new restaurant there called The Greenhouse Cafe and he’s planning to open the doors for business the first week of June.

To start with, they will feature fresh juices bottled every morning, vegetarian and vegan lunches – Wraps, Salads, Soups, homemade Tortillas, Pizzas, Pastas; lots of good stuff like that – and they’ll be working towards doing breakfast as well in the near future.

His daughter Leah will be in charge of juices and smoothies. Ricarda will be assuming chef duties, that’s them in the photo – Leah on the left, and Ricarda on the right.

And don’t worry – Pin Pin Apparel (Leah’s other business) will be open daily. Leah will be there 2 days a week. And Ricarda will still be doing her wooden goodies at the farmers market as well. Jeff will be assisting both of them at the new restaurant.

San Juan Island Fitness has completed conversion of the islands only public access, year around pool to a Salt PureÒ pool.

“There are a lot of benefits to this conversion” says owner, Paul Hopkins.  “After months of research, it became clear that this is not only a good business move, but something I had to do for the health of those who use the pool.  I have heard all of the positive comments I read in the vendors marketing material, from ‘it feels smooth’ to ‘I can breathe easier’.”

While there is chlorine in the pool as a disinfectant, it is generated rather than added.  The “free chlorine” is at or greater than state required levels, but the “combined chlorine” (bad stuff) is lower and generates little if any off-gasses.

San Juan Island Fitness is offering free one-day trials through June 30.  “We want to make sure people are happy with the water before they make any sort of commitment, especially those with chlorine sensitivities” according to Hopkins.

For more information or to comment, please e-mail saltpool [@] sanjuanislandfitness.com or call 378-4449.

Have you seen me?

Everyone please watch for “Skipper” a very large tan dog that has gone missing from the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor shelter.  If you see him please go up and give him some directions on how to get home.  He is very friendly and may have a little token of appreciation for your thoughtfulness!  He loves hugs and it would also be helpful to snap of photo of you and him together that you can post on the APS-FH Facebook page or email to our address at:  pets2homes@centurylink.net .  Then we can track his whereabouts to help bring him home safely!

A full list of well known celebrities are on their way to San Juan Island.  It’s the 27th Annual Islanders Bank San Juan Island Celebrity Classic John O. Linde Memorial, at the San Juan Golf and Country Club, May 31st and June 1st. Local non profits help to put this fun event on and everyone is invited to come out to the traditional Salmon BBQ. The BBQ is cooked by the talented John Vevjoda and his team. 400 lbs. of Alaskan salmon is being donated by San Juan Seafood’s once again. Tickets are $25.00. That dinner, and the fun raising auction, annually attended by nearly 400 friends and neighbors, will again be in the big tent out at the golf course starting Saturday night – 5pm for appetizers donated by our generous local restaurants and the salmon dinner at 6pm.

This year many of the Artists of the Island Artist Studio Tour are contributing to the silent and live auction. The live auction is one not to be missed! A few of the great items are an autographed 12th man Seahawk Jersey, Mariner tickets, and the big auction item -  airfare (provided by Alaska Air) to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico for a week long stay the Grand Mayan, on the shore with nine swimming pools and steps to the Jack Nicklaus golf course.

The winning team will enjoy having their names posted on the John Linde Memorial Plaque hanging at Islanders Bank. This in tribute to our much loved Judge who gave this community so much and always played in the tournament.

The Celebrity Golf Classic and Salmon Barbecue has a star studded cast and is taking shape for a thrilling weekend! Visiting stars Meeghan Black, KING TV, Jesse Jones, KING TV, Craig Terrell, former Seahawk, John Alyward, Sonny Sixkiller, former Husky, Dick Baird, Husky Coach Team, Percy Allen, Seattle Times sports writer, Joe Tafoya, former Seahawk, Kerry Carter, NFL/CFL player, Lisa Morretti, pro wrestler, Mike Gastineau, Radio, Jeff Aaron, Radio, Alonzo Mitz, NFL, Dave Grosby, Radio, Jim Moore, PI/Radio To Go Guy, Merillee Rush, singer, Billy Mac, Nesby Glasgow, former AFL player

For dinner tickets contact Becki Day, 360.298.0458 or beckiday@rockisland.com.

 

Sailing is an activity that once learned people can enjoy for a lifetime and living on an island can provide a lifetime of opportunities to sail! This summer Island Rec has plenty of opportunities for people 8 and older to learn to sail!

Choose from a one week or two week class, Monday through Friday all through the month of July.  Early discount fee is $140 and generous scholarships based on income eligibility are available for San Juan Island children.

Also offered is a basic class for teen and adults and a special two-week class for those who cannot get enough sailing!  Pre-registration and completion of float tests are required.

Register online at www.islandrec.org, or stop by Island Rec at 580 Guard Street M-F, 1-5pm to register in person.  Visit Island Rec’s website or call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information.  Don’t delay in registering as these classes will fill up soon!

Island Rec’s Learn to Sail program is in partnership with the San Juan Sailing Foundation.

TripAdvisor is delighted to recognize Maya’s Westside Charters with a 2013 Certificate of Excellence.

This prestigious award, which places you in the top-performing 10% of all businesses worldwide on TripAdvisor, is given to businesses that consistently earn high ratings from TripAdvisor travelers.

Geoffrey Castle to perform in Friday Harbor

Violinist Geoffrey Castle will be here on May 31st to put on a dynamic assembly for our elementary school students. He will then follow up with some violin workshops as well. Then on the evenings of May 31st and June 1st,  he will perform in concert at San Juan Community Theater to benefit the FHES Arts Program. Geoffrey has played all over the world and he puts on a show you and your family will never forget.

Tickets are now on sale at SJCT and in our FHES main office.  This could be substantial if we sell enough tickets, so please spread the word to buy your tickets NOW! The FHES arts program is partially self-supporting.

See more info here on SJCT’s website.

Council member Bob Jarman praised Thomas for his background in economic development and community planning, citing that it will be critical in addressing the land use and planning issues the County faces.  Jarman also said that Mike Thomas will be a great addition to the Council team.

Member Rick Hughes spoke of Mike’s experience and familiarity with the laws of Washington State – and said he was very pleased that Thomas will be moving here with his family, including two school age children.

Council Chair Jamie Stephens detailed the steps that had been taken in the recruitment process, citing the strong roster of finalists provided by the recruiter.  Stephens thanked the members of the community and staff who participated in the selection process and said he hoped Mike will be able to join the County staff the last week in June.  Stephens said Mike’s collaborative team approach will work well here, and that he appreciated that Mike’s style was to work with councils and department heads to help them get their work done, rather than directing them.

Michael Thomas will be the first regular County Manager under the changes to the County Charter approved by voters in November, 2012.  Bob Jean has been the Interim County Administrator, then the Interim County Manager, since last June.

There were 44 applicants for the position, with 5 currently residing in the County.  The recruiting firm of The Prothman Company screened the candidates and presented the County Council with a list of semifinalists.  The Council selected a list of finalists to interview, including one local candidate who then withdrew from consideration prior to the interviews.

On Monday, May 13^th, the five candidates visited County facilities and met with islanders and answered questions at open houses held on Orcas Island, Lopez Island and San Juan Island.  On Tuesday, May 14^th, the candidates were interviewed by separate panels made up of County residents, County staff, and the County Council.  The Council then held an executive session on Wednesday, May 15^th, to interview the two top candidates.  The Council met today in executive session to discuss the qualifications of the top candidates and then moved into open session for their deliberations and selection.

Meet Tyrone, this week’s Pet of the Week

This little fella is Tyrone.  He arrived with his buddy and possible litter-mate, “Cleetus” from California last week.  We think Tyrone and Cleetus are about 6 months old – they have lots of puppy spunk and love to play, play, play… followed by some serious napping and snuggling.   These guys probably won’t get too much bigger as they are Chihuahua mixes of some kind.  Stop by the shelter to meet these sweet-natured boys!  111 Shelter Drive.  (360) 378-2158.

Summer bowlers are needed to fill out the Monday night league. Summer League goes from May 20 until August 12th. We won’t play on Memorial Day and there’s still time for people to join and begin bowling on June 3.  All bowlers are welcome regardless of ability or experience, and we encourage new bowlers to come and give it a try.  You can join an existing team or form your own team of 4 bowlers. Each bowler establishes a handicap which levels the “friendly” competition and there are cash prizes on the last day of League.

Also we are excited about the new restaurant opening at the bowling alley on June 1. This makes League night also a fun night out with friends that can include dinner and drinks right at your table as you bowl.

It’s easy to sign up. Stop by (365 Spring Street) or give us a call (370-5667 ext 1) and let us answer your questions. Are you a new bowler, or haven’t bowled in a while? Scott gives lessons too!