The U.S. Census Bureau is in the midst of peak hiring efforts for the 2020 Census.

A representative from the Census Bureau will be available:

• February 23rd from 1:00 to 4:00 PM
  San Juan Island Library
  1010 Guard Street
• February 24th from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
  Skagit Valley College
  San Juan Center 221 Weber Way.

Get information on how to become a Census worker, as well as help in the application process. For San Juan County, wages are $20-22 Hour + mileage.  

For more information, visit: https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html, or call 1-855-562-2020. 

Vicky Thalacker, Friday Harbor Kiwanis Club Past President, presents a check for $500 from Friday Harbor Kiwanis to David Stegman, FANS (Families And Neighbors Support Island Rec) President.

David Stegman states “We sincerely appreciate FH Kiwanis’ continued confidence in FANS and in Island Rec’s excellent programs. Your generosity will help provide remarkable experiences that create lasting memories for islanders of all ages. Thank you for partnering with us in 2020.”

Give the gift of an advance directive
PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center offers free advance care planning workshop

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA, Feb. 21, 2020– PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center is offering a free community workshop that walks participants through the elements of advance care planning. The Your Voice, Your Choice workshop will take place on Friday, March 20, 2020 from 1-3 p.m. at the EMS Building, 1079 Spring Street, Friday Harbor.

“Advance care planning is about sharing personal goals, values, religious and cultural beliefs, and what matters individually for quality of life with family, friends and medical providers,” said Hilary Walker, program coordinator for PeaceHealth Advance Care Planning. “It’s also about completing an advance directive. Both will help to ensure your wishes are followed, in the event of a medical crisis.” Continue Reading

The Gothard Sisters are a dynamic musical group of three sisters who play contemporary Celtic music. Through 10 years performing, touring and writing music together, the optimistic style of their music and performances continue to resonate with their fans, building a loyal international following.

Their latest all-original album release, midnight Sun, reached $6 on the Billboard World Music charts as the highest ranking debut on the chart. The Gothard Sisters have performed in venues large and small all over the country, including a concert at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium stage in Washington DC, performances with Disney Cruise line in Europe, a 20-city concert tour of Japan in 2019 and appearances at music festivals and performing arts venues nationwide.

Blending Celtic, folk, classical, world and northwest musical influences, the Gothard Sisters bring songs to life with violin, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bodhran, djembe, octave violin, whistle, and vocal harmonies, creating music that is “vivid, inspirational and captivating.” (Tim Carroll, Folk Words Review 2018)

Writing and recording near their home in the Pacific Northwest between touring nationally, the band has released seven albums and has performed over 1,000 live shows over the course of their career.

Saturday, March 7, 2020 7:30pm in the Whittier Theatre at San Juan Community Theatre

Tickets:
Adults $22
Student Reserved $12
Student RUSH (at door only) $5

buy tickets

From the SJC Public Hospital District No. 1…

Former SJI EMS Chief Jerry Martin

Former San Juan Island EMS (SJIEMS) Chief Jerry Martin served from January 2016 to April 2019. At the end of 2018, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) began an investigation in response to three complaints that he was not compliant with continuing education requirements. 

We have now received word that the DOH, on January 25, 2020, has completed their investigation of the case “without disciplinary action because the evidence does not support a violation.” 

In a response to a controversy at the time, the governing Board, San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 (SJCPHD #1), funded a brief investigation regarding Chief Jerry Martin. On October 24, 2018, that investigation also cleared Chief Jerry Martin, and the Board voted to conclude its review of the complaint. 

We thank Chief Jerry Martin for his service and wish him all the best. 

Community Projects Press Release

Are you interested in astronomy? Do you love exploring the wonders that space has to offer? Well, here at the Library we do! And, thanks to the admirable Community Project fundraising efforts of two of our Friday Harbor High School students, Allie and Tyler Fleming, the San Juan Island Library is excited to add an Orion Starblast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope to our circulating collection.

The telescope offers high-powered vision capability and a great view of the sky, and due to its small size, it is convenient and easy for transport.

Available for a two week loan at a time, instructions are included with the telescope, and it is easy to use for all.  Stop by the San Juan Island Library to check it out today!

Deadline is April 1 for $2,000 Climate Leadership Scholarships

The San Juan Preservation Trust sponsors new scholarships for high school seniors.

The San Juan Preservation Trust is offering two $2,000 scholarships this spring to graduating high school seniors who are San Juan Island County residents and attend high school in the San Juan Islands.

The scholarships are intended to recognize and encourage students in our island communities who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, effort, and imagination in addressing the issue of climate change, and who plan a course of collegiate study that equips them to amplify their climate-focused endeavors—whether through scientific inquiry, the arts, media, or other forms of active community engagement. Continue Reading

The next Know Your Island Walk on Saturday, February 22, from 1 to 4 pm will be guided by intrepid hikers Dave Zeretzke and Bill Severson.

Participants will meet at the corner of Roche Harbor Road and West Valley Road and walk up through Roche Harbor Highlands and up the back (north) side of Young Hill to the top.

This is a longer walk than usual — and very wet after the winter rains. Dogs on leash welcome (with mutt bags). All walks take place rain or shine.

Today we have a guest post from TripOutside.com on the Benefits of Getting Outdoors…

By Julie Singh

If you’re a self-professed homebody, you could seriously benefit from a change of scenery. Spending time in nature could improve your physical and mental health, ward off illness, and actually make you happier!

As the Father of Western Medicine, Hippocrates, once said, “Nature itself is the best physician.” If you’re curious about the health benefits you can reap from being outside, read on! Below, we cover 13 reasons to soak up everything nature has to offer. Read on for the best benefits of getting outdoors.

Photo by Toomas Tartes

1. Being in Nature Boosts Life Satisfaction

If you’ve been feeling blue, visit somewhere green! A recent study found that men and women who spent just 20 minutes in a park setting reported a 64% hike in life satisfaction. (hike- HA, see what we did there?)

The best news? Participants’ satisfaction levels had nothing to do with physical activity! Simply visiting the park boosted well-being. Of course, movement adds a plethora of additional health benefits. 

Continue reading at TripOutside.com…

First: Kitchen Sink Dinners – Cynthia’s Bistro is offering free take-away meals to anyone who needs a meal or wishes to have a home cooked meal. No questions asked, just free food. Stop by Cynthia’s this Thursday, Feb. 20th from 4:30 to 6:00 to pick up your meal.

You may pick up 2 meals per person. When we run out of food, we will close the doors until next time. We will be stationed on the front porch and handing out the meals at Cynthia’s Bistro – 65 Nichols Street in Friday Harbor.

Basic Home Cooking made with everything but the Kitchen Sink.

Come by and say hello. If you care to join us and donate time or money to the cause, feel free to contact Cynthia at Cynthia’s Bistro or email me at [email protected].

Second: It’s the Jimmy Moe Show!

Saturday, February 22, come to Cynthia’s for some great food and listen to Jimmy Moe’s tribute to Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darrin and others.

Doors open at 4:00 – music from 5:00 to 7:00

Reservations recommended – small, cozy space with great acoustics!

Come Join us!

Just when you thought the election was over, you get another ballot. Yes, folks, this year the Presidential Primary is following close on the heels of the February special election.

The purpose of the Presidential Primary is to give the voters a chance to tell the two major parties who to select as their candidates. The nominees selected by the two big parties – as well as the candidates selected by other parties – will then appear on the November general election ballot.

A significant change in state law this past year moved the Presidential Primary from May to March. With a May primary, Washington had one of the latest primaries in the country. By the time Washingtonians voted, the race was often all but over. For that reason, candidates had little incentive to visit Washington or to court Washington voters. The idea behind the date change is that if Washington’s primary occurs earlier, the presidential candidates will pay more attention to Washington. Continue Reading

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans held a Centennial Celebration on February 12, to mark the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the national League on February 14, 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt to help women become informed voters.

The occasion also marked that 2020 will be 100 years since women won the right to vote. League members, elected officials and candidates past and present, and a wide variety of community members attended the event at the Mullis Center.

President Barbara Sharp welcomed the guests and offered some history. The Suffragist movement, launched in 1848 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, struggled for decades. Activists were ridiculed, beaten and jailed. Many did not live to see their dream fulfilled. We stand on the shoulders of these brave women. Continue Reading

APS-FH Celebrates World Spay Day with Mardi Paws Themed 13^th Annual ‘Spay-Ghetti’ Dinner Tuesday, February 25^th

Every February shelters and pet rescue organizations world-wide celebrate Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and World Spay Day on the last Tuesday in February. Synonymous with love, February is the perfect time to reflect and celebrate the importance of spaying and neutering to humanely control pet overpopulation and ultimately save lives.

The Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor will host their Mardi Paws ‘Spay-Ghetti’ Dinner, this year at the Mullis Senior Center Tuesday, February 25^th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Rain, snow or shine.

Offerings this year include both meat and vegetarian spaghetti, garlic bread, Caesar Salad, dessert buffet, spirited and non-spirited beverages and a raffle drawing for one of three fantastic prizes. A wonderful work from Cakes by Felicitations, a $100 gift certificate for dinner at McMillins – Roche Harbor and a Custom Pet Portrait Session with the master, Alan Niles.

For more information on the event or to volunteer please contact Cristin Felso, APS-FH Director at (360) 378-2159.

Click to enlarge

Bump, set, spike! This co-ed program is a 5-week skills clinic that will introduce participants to the basics of volleyball. Instructor Maureen Lamar is a former volleyball college athlete and has been coaching volleyball for over 5 years.

Participants will learn the rules of the game as well as technical skills like passing, setting, and hitting. (Knee pads are not required for this clinic.) Early registration fee of $39 expires February 20th; $44 thereafter. Clinic held at FHES Gym.

3rd – 5th graders meet Wednesdays March 4 – April 1 from 3:00-3:45 pm.

6th-8th graders meet Wednesdays March 4 – April 1 from 4:00-5:00 pm

For more information or registration visit our website at www.islandrec.org, stop by the Island Rec office Monday-Friday, 11am-5pm, or call us at 360-378-4953.

Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Applications Due April 10 

OPALCO’s is accepting scholarship applications from high school sophomores and juniors. Three scholars will receive a $1,000 scholarship from OPALCO and the family of Nourdine Jensen.

Part of the scholarship includes an all-expenses paid trip to the Youth Rally, a co-op leadership camp in Idaho. Applications are available online and are due by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 10^th.

The Youth Rally is a week of fun social networking, personal growth and learning with about 100 students from eight western states. Activities include a day at the water park, volleyball, bowling, social dances, team-building games and educational sessions on leadership, grassroots governance and the power industry. Students can earn additional scholarships for up to $1,100 at the Rally awarded by the Idaho Consumer Owned Utility Association (ICUA). Continue Reading

The Town of Friday Harbor and Friday Harbor Arts Commission (FHAC) have announced the winners of their first Poetry Garden Contest. A blind judging process was used to review 271 poems submitted by 90 San Juan County residents.

Final selections were made by Washington State Poet Laureate Claudia Castro Luna and include 20 adults and 10 students grades three to 12.

Winning poems will be published in a book as well as engraved for display at four outdoor “poetry gardens” located in Friday Harbor including the San Juan Community Theatre, the Mullis Community Senior Center, next to the post office, and the waterfront viewing area below Downriggers.

All poets and interested community members are invited to a celebratory unveiling at noon Friday, April 24^th in front of the Community Theatre.

This was the first time the FHAC partnered with a committee of local citizens on a public art project. The FHAC was formed in November 2014 by the Town of Friday Harbor to advise the Town Council on the selection, placement, and maintenance of public art.

Adult winners:

• Holli Brown (“South Beach”)
• Janet Dann (“Deer Crossing”)
• Sally Green (“Injured Owl”)
• Samuel Green (“Black Walnut”)
• Susie Foster Hale (“15 Seconds Off Jackson Beach” and “One Less Thing”)
• David Kobrin (“The Vase”)
• Lynne Mercer (“Commentary”)
• Tara Moghadam (“Headlines” and “Round Earth, Small Cell in Some Universal Body”)
• JoEllen Moldoff (“Trumpeters, Mid-December”)
• Helen C. O’Connor (“Celestial Anchor”)
• Nancy Spaulding (“Overlooking the Straits”)
• Joan D. Stamm (“Haiku #2”)
• Greg Sutherland (“The colors of the sea”)
• Gary Thompson (“The Island Broke Out”)
• Paul Walsh (“The Frog Drawer”)
• John C. Waugh (“Dawn Carrot”)
• William Jay Weissinger (“High Wind Warning”)
• Carmen Wolflisberg (“Lush”)

Student winners:

• Gavia Boyden (“Your Presence is Sweet Water” and “Where Night Breathes”)
• Zach Crichton (“Son of a Fisherman”)
• Cora Green (“Working It Out” and “Postcard from Sandy Point Beach, Waldron Island”)
• Abel Lehman (“A Walk on the Trails”)
• Amelia M. Munkres (“Fall”)
• James Sears (“Rulers of the Sky”)
• Tiffany Sears (“Dew”)
• Savannah Waugh (“My Island”)