In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we have this letter to you from Debbi Fincher…

Hi Friends, Family and all around Supporters of J, K & L Pods, 
 
I have to try… I can’t sit idly by when our local orca pods need our help more than ever. I want to be sure we all have the information we need to help our Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) from going extinct.

I am sharing various sources should you have missed them. I know it sounds alarmist, but talking with orca experts, it is not. Recently, I attended a line up of speakers at the SJI Orca Recovery Day of Action outing where Dr. Deborah Giles spoke. Dr. Giles said, “It is beyond dire.” We were talking about their need for more salmon. Dr. Giles is a respected scientist working to help save these critically endangered species. Dr. Giles has also been involved with the scat detection dogs on the water, like Tucker the Black Lab, too. If you’d like to read more about her and her efforts to save J, K, L pods from extinction, her non-profit is wildorca.org. I trust her analyst of this situation.

We moved here in 1997; Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research, which he founded in 1976, was already clanging the gong as he was noticing a decline in the salmon with each passing season. In 2005, J,K,L Pods were put on the Endangered Species list. What have we changed to help bring more salmon to our waters to feed these whales? Whatever it is, it is not working. They listed them because they were in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range. The time has come to a tipping point. We can no longer wait to take action; we must be BOLD and willing to act now on the difficult decisions we have put off for these 13 years. It is critical we address over-harvesting of their preferred food, salmon. Please speak up for Granny’s family; her 74 family members need our help today!
 
As you may know, Gov. Inslee put together an Orca Recovery Task Force about six months ago, and they submitted their recommendations for the Governor. It has been brought to my attention during this Orca Recovery Day of Action outing on SJI, a guest speaker, Stephanie Solien, who is the Co-Chair of the Gov. Orca Recovery Task Force that of the 36 recommendations being made to the Gov to help recover J, K.L Pods, NOT ONE is to address recreational and commercial fishing of salmon, the very first thing they could do to put more fish in the mouths of our SRKW. I don’t understand the disconnect. These family members are dying because we humans are not willing to change our behaviors for the greater good. Continue Reading

Story submitted by Jim Carroll, Chairman – San Juan Lions Annual Shopping Spree…

You have seen the Giant Shopping Cart driving around town for the last 3 weeks and today (Saturday) is the day the winning raffle ticket will be drawn for the winner of the San Juan Lions Club 29th Annual Shopping Spree.

The 2017 winner won $1,077 – the 2016 winner won $892 – Can this year’s winner beat that?

The Winning Ticket will be drawn this evening, Saturday, November 17th at 5:30 PM at Kings Market.

The winner will run the shopping spree on Tuesday November 20th at 1:30 PM

Final raffle tickets are still on sale at both Kings & Market Place today from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. $1.00 per chance or $5.00 for 6 chances.

Grand Prize wins a 4 minute run through Kings
2nd, 3rd & 4th prizes a Free Turkey

100% of all proceeds go to Local Scholarships for graduating High School Senior for college or trade school.

Stuff: We Become Our Things And Retrospective

Artist Nicola Wheston’s exhibit on now at SJIMA till December 10, 2018

Our planet is drowning in pollution and plastics and we still worship consumerism…

Artist Nicola Wheston is not afraid to talk trash, but her latest exhibit, Stuff: We Become Our Things, does the trash talking for her. Recording the stuff we have, what surrounds us, and the things we see in our everyday lives, Wheston’s new work shifts our focus onto the tidal wave of waste created in a consumerist society. Wheston’s life-size series of ten paintings, Stuff, is turning heads at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA). Her controversial subject matter is not one generally interpreted by a narrative painter, and she’s delighted by the notoriety and recognition it’s gaining.

Her paintings take us through the cycle of life of our stuff, where we buy it, and where it ends up – showcasing the consumerist pathology of our times with paintings that take us from the big box store, straight to the garbage dump and landfill. As she notes in her artist statement, “The environment is under great stress as our oceans are filled with plastic, and garbage; poor countries store the trash for richer countries therefore destroying their own environments. Our planet is drowning in pollution and plastics and we still worship consumerism.”

Cutting close to the bone, Wheston’s work expresses her desire to illustrate the rapid rise of the norm of consumerism and how the system is showing its cracks. “We now live in a society where we are drowning in stuff,” says Wheston. “Plastic fills every inch of our homes and we are building bigger and bigger homes to accommodate all this stuff.” She adds, “In the end, “stuff” ultimately entraps us.” Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…

The Mullis Center Annual Holiday Artisan Craft Fair starts this Friday, November 16, from 4 – 7 pm and continues Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm.  I’m participating this year, which means I have a lot of cards to fold.  A flat surface to fold cards on can be hard to find sometimes at my house so I decided to join Anna Coffelt at the Mullis Center for “Hygge Friday” last week. 

Hygge, is a Danish tradition pronounced (Hoo-ga). It means to set a relaxed mood of coziness, comfort and conviviality. Hygge Fridays at the Mullis Center are offered on Fridays from 1 to 3 pm as a time to bring your own project or find one at the Mullis Center and enjoy a relaxed time visiting over projects or watching a movie in the library.  Anna and I each had folding projects. I had my cards and Anna was folding orgami birds, a skill she says she is willing to teach. We settled comfortably at a table and lost ourselves in conversation while folding paper stopping only for jasmine tea and Paul Newman’s Ginger Cookies. On Hygge Friday the Mullis Center provides snacks.

That was last week. The Holiday Fair begins today, Friday afternoon, and I still have a few cards to fold. This year’s Fair looks to have a full spectrum of local arts and crafts plus a variety of foods. As a welcome addition this year the High School will be selling wreaths and taking orders for Thanksgiving pies. Order a pumpkin or pecan pie for your Thanksgiving dinner and all the proceeds will go to FHHS Grad Night 2019. See you there!

Looking for a special gift for that person on your list who is difficult to buy for? The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor has just the thing!

A beautiful, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted rocking horse has been donated to Treasure Hounds, the animal shelter’s upscale retail outlet, located next to the bowling alley. The piece is so exquisite, Treasure Hounds has decided to auction it off to the highest silent auction bidder – just in time for the holidays.

If you’d like to see the rocking horse and place your bid, you have until December 15 to do so. Treasure Hounds has many other fabulous finds for holiday gift giving. Stop by the next time you’re in town. 365-C Spring Street. Treasure Hounds is open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 – 4:00.

Added class – If you missed out on the September session of First Aid and CPR, Island Rec and EMS were able to add another class in December. Upon successful completion of this class you will walk away with life-saving skills and a First Aid certification from the American Heart Association that is valid for two years.

This is an ideal class for parents, baby sitters, volunteer coaches and recreation leaders. This class is for ages 15 and up and will take place on Tuesday December 4^th and Wednesday December 5^th. from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, and is located at the Frank Wilson EMS building. Early registration, which lasts until November 22, is $47; the registration fee is $5 more thereafter.

For more information and registration please visit our website, www.islandrec.org, call the office at 360-378-4953, or come in to our office M-F between 11am-5pm.

 

San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce Featured Member of the Month

Village at the Harbour began its inception as a dream of two Islanders that fostered a passion to build an assisted living community on San Juan Island. With the assistance of local investors, The Village went from a blueprint to a reality and opened officially for business back in 2008.

Since the beginning, the Village has become a home to those that want to maintain their independence while living in a supportive environment where assistance is available. When one reflects on what makes the village so special and unique you have a multitude of options to choose. It starts with our incredible dining program where almost everything here is made from scratch, extends to our close-knit supportive group of residents and employees, to our amazing families and volunteers that visit and participate in everything we do, and everything in between. Continue Reading

Haven’t placed your wreath or pie order yet? Don’t fret – WREATHS HAVE ARRIVED – BUY one THIS FRIDAY and SATURDAY at the Mullis Community Senior Center!

And while you’re there, don’t forget to order your Pecan and/or Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving. ALL proceeds benefit FHHS Grad Night 2019.

Environmental Assessment for the American Camp Visitor Center Replacement Project Available for Public Review and Comment

The National Park Service is proposing to improve the facilities at the American Camp visitor center site within San Juan Island National Historical Park. The proposed project entails the replacement of the 39 year-old “temporary” visitor center with a new facility that would highlight the rich cultural history of the area as well as the spectacular natural setting of American Camp. In addition, the visitor center entrance road would be relocated just north of its existing intersection with Cattle Point Road. Park operational facilities, including administrative campsites and a maintenance storage area, would also be expanded.

The new visitor center would include space for visitor orientation, gift store sales, seating for an updated audiovisual program, and fully accessible exhibits and public restrooms. It would also include office and storage space for interpretive staff. Site improvements would include an outdoor interpretive plaza, demonstration space, gathering space, accessible pathways, more efficient parking, and replacement of the septic system and picnic sites. Continue Reading

Request For Qualifications For Owner Representation Services

The San Juan Island Library is requesting Statements of Qualifications from interested owner representation firms to represent the Library in the development of a new library building and other improvements to real property at a site to be determined. It is our desire that the firm see this project through the entire process from site selection, planning, funding and design, through construction and occupancy.

The complete RFQ can be obtained at http://www.sjlib.org under “About Us/Library Building Project.”

Extended deadline is Friday, November 28, 2018 at 6:00pm.

For questions, please contact Laurie Orton, San Juan Island Library Director at [email protected].

WaterWorks Gallery’s 33rd annual Holiday Show.

Objects We Desire To Wear
Objects That Inspire Us To Feel
Objects We Desire For Our Home

November 16th – January 5, 2019

WaterWorks Gallery, a contemporary light filled gallery, continues to evolve as it remains dedicated to showing artists from the islands, Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.

Represented artists, painters, sculptors, and jewelers reflect the area’s beauty through both conventional and unusual representations.

Inspired by Desire showcases unique works for gift giving – jewelry, ornaments, paintings, sculpture and a few oddities curated just for you.

Reception for the show Friday November 16th 4-7 pm 

Show runs until January 5th, 2019.

Gallery is open Thursday thru Saturday… other days by fortuitous accident.

Yvonne Regina Swanberg passed away unexpectedly at her home in Friday Harbor, WA on November 2, 2018, she was 73. She was born in Rossland, B.C., Canada on October 12, 1945 to Richard and Dorothy (Streibeck) LeCaire.

Yvonne was raised on the farm on Mitchell Road in Northport, WA where she would share in the duties of caring for the home with her mother while the four boys and their father took care of the ranch. Yvonne was an excellent cook and her ability seemed to always shine through during the holidays. She graduated from Northport High School with the class of 1964 and then continued her education at Eastern Washington University earning her bachelors degree.

Yvonne went on to teach at the Kinman College for Business for some time and then worked as the store manager at the General Store in Spokane. Yvonne met her soon to be husband and the love of her life, Steve Swanberg in 1976 where he was an insurance broker for Safeco Insurance. They would wed in Spokane on July 30, 1977, and in 1979 they moved to Friday Harbor, WA where they would permanently remain. Steve and Yvonne had a chance to buy their own insurance agency which they built into an honored and trusted business. In the late 1990’s they decided to start making wine, and what a great decision that was! The two of them built one of the most respected wineries in the country winning many coveted awards for their creations. Continue Reading

EDC presents Datapalooza! – a statistics and demographics event for San Juan County

Need more data and information to make knowledgeable decisions about your business or as a community legislator or leader?   Join the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) for their second annual Datapalooza! event, two hours of in-depth data and analysis of our economy and demographics, plus brunch and conversation, on Wednesday, December 5^th, from 10 a.m. till noon on Orcas Island. 

This year’s program, sponsored in part by Island Market and San Juan Propane, will include presentations by noted speakers James McCafferty, director of WWU’s Center for Economic & Business Research, Dr. Anneliese Vance-Sherman, regional labor economist for the State of Washington, and Victoria Compton, director of the San Juan County Economic Development Council. 

The presentations will explore our region’s economy and demographics – past, present and future – including industry, employment and sales data, and current trends.  This in-depth analysis will enable leaders and businesspeople to make informed decisions about issues that affect our community and economy. Continue Reading

Charley Goddu, a 10-year old poodle mix, received the first dog license of 2019 at the San Juan County Auditor’s office. Charley, a former rescue dog, was adopted in 2015 by Peter Goddu and Margaret Langlie at the Skagit Humane Society.

Charley is one of the friendliest dogs in town. He greets everyone with an enthusiastic tail wag and full-body wiggle. He works at his parents’ office as the manager of client relations and office morale. Clients routinely ask whether Charley will be available for a visit before booking appointments. Charley’s hobbies include kayaking, hiking, camping, and biking with his owners on a special bike equipped with a milk crate. His favorite snacks are cucumbers and dried seaweed, and he loves making people happy.

2019 dog licenses will be available Monday, November 26. All dogs in San Juan County are required to be licensed annually. License fees are $15 for spayed or neutered dogs, and $40 for “natural” dogs. A photo of the dog can be added to the database for $5. Dogs must be licensed each year by March 31 to avoid a $10 late fee. Continue Reading

On Wednesday, November 14th at 7:00 pm at the San Juan Island Grange, the Corps of Resiliency gathering is going to be something special. We have teamed up with the Grange Lecture Series to host an evening of storytelling at the Grange Hall. We’ll be turning off the lights, lighting a fire in the fireplace and sharing stories of the big blows and blackouts that we have lived through. We are encouraging folks to bring in a stick of wood, a special tool that would help in a power outage, and/or an oil lamp or battery lantern.  If you have a story, a lamp to light, or a useful tool to show off, please bring it. And now a list of things we could use:

• special “survival” tools to show off (does a can opener count?)
• tea bags, cocoa packets
• a stick or two for the fire
• your stories or your friends and neighbors who have stories

Coming empty-handed is OK as well. All are welcome to sit by the fire, drink hot tea or cocoa and enjoy the stories. We will have a pot of water and a crab cooker on the deck for hot drinks. This is a Grange gathering, open to all and free of charge. Continue Reading

In recent months the Boy Scouts of America, has made several radical changes. 

Scouting (BSA) as it is now called, has changed from a program only for boys to one for that includes both boys and girls. In San Juan County, there are currently two active programs, Troop 4090 (ages 10-18) and Sea Scout Ship 4013 (14-21).  A new Cub Scout Pack is currently being planned (ages 7-11). 

For those unfamiliar with the Scouting program, it provides training and character building in: Leadership, Outdoors, First Aid, Camping, Home Repairs, Hiking and much much more. 

Sea Scouting includes all of these but also helps your son/daughter towards a career in the maritime industries.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these programs, please contact the Scouting Unit Commissioner, Eric Stone at: [email protected]