Join the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center for a Festival of Giving and Kindness

Celebrate others by: becoming a volunteer, sponsoring a family, mentoring a child, donating to our coat drive, making handmade gifts & cards, get a family photo

Celebrate yourself by: learning how to de-stress the holidays, practicing yoga, gaining health care access, enjoying healthy treats, simplifying the holidays, bidding on a beautiful quilt

See the Family Resource Center’s building expansion plans as we Raise the Roof!

• When: Sunday, November 4
• Where: Mullis Center
• Time:   2-4 pm
• Cost: FREE

Keep the Holidays Meaningful by Putting Kindness Into Action

Peter Lane – Contributed photo

“San Juan Islands Museum of Art is delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Lane to the position of Director of Operations, as we transition from an all-volunteer staff,” said co-presidents of the Board, Karen Woldvedt and Diane Martindale.

Peter has been a volunteer at SJIMA for more than three years and a valued member of the Exhibitions Committee, Steering Committee and the Board.

He brings a wealth of skills to the position as he has worked with domestic and international museums for nearly 20 years.  Lane has been a member of an organization working to standardize museum practices worldwide.  He most recently has been working with private art collectors in all aspects of collections management.

Peter will take on the responsibilities of operations, overseeing exhibition installations, managing security, technology interface and more for SJIMA. Continue Reading

The Holiday Market folks will be selling Raffle Tickets at Marketplace grocery store on Thursday November 1st and Thursday November 8th from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. They will also be selling tickets on November 23rd & 24th at the Holiday Market fundraiser held at the elementary school.

Tickets are $2.00 each. Buy your tickets and put them in the jar corresponding to the prize package you want to win (see below). Buy as many as you like. The more you stuff in that jar, the better your chances of winning!

The drawing will be held on Nov 24th at 4pm at the Holiday Market fundraiser.

Here’s a look at the fabulous prizes: Continue Reading

It is a terrific time for Tea Time! This is THE party you’ve been waiting for. Special sweet and savory bites, cold and hot teas, a Shel Silverstein reading, real China tea sets, decorations, and more.

Dress up if you like! Children must be accompanied by an adult. This event is for ages 3 and up on Saturday, November 3^rd from 10am-11am, and will take place at the San Juan Island Grange Hall. Registration is $8.

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

Don’t forget – this is coming up a week from Saturday!

The San Juan Island Garden Club presents a Spring Blooming Layered Bulb Planter class (a.k.a: Lasagne Containers II)

Spring containers can be the most rewarding plantings because they are a way to start gardening early. During this class you will create a glorious spring blooming layered bulb planter. The planter will provide flowering bulbs from very early spring well into April or May. With very little care the container will continue to bloom for several years.

• Date: November 3, 2018
• Time: 10:00 AM
• Location: Mullis Center Craft Room

Cost: $42.00 for the basic container, 5 kinds of bulbs, soil and fertilizer

Options for Classic or Premier Planters and Bulbs are available. (more info at www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com)

RSVP’s are helpful!
Contact Marguerite Bennett: [email protected] 360-378-8524
Vonnie Harold: [email protected] 360-298-0859
Kathie Forsyth: [email protected] 360-378-5071

The Joy of Gardening is Sharing

Photograph by Emily Schoneberg Photography

Team Silent Sky sends a huge THANK YOU to the entire community, for supporting their production so wholeheartedly, and for making Silent Sky SJCT’s best-attended fall production since 2011! WOW!

The best tastes of the San Juan Islands showcasing chefs, and the farmers that make that food possible.

Using fresh, quality products from San Juan County farms, local chefs will prepare delicious samples for you to enjoy. Come for a bite or make a meal of it. Locally produced soft and alcoholic beverages will make it a full gourmet adventure.

Tickets start at $3.00 with proceeds benefiting San Juan County farming initiatives. A mouthwatering event celebrating the islands’ unique cuisine at the historic Brickworks in Friday Harbor, October 28th from 12:00 to 4:00pm.

Proceeds benefit programs of the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

This year the Friday Harbor Film Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 28. At 7 p.m. Oct. 26 there will be the Filmmakers Gala. Paul Watson, of Sea Shepherd, will accept his Lifetime Achievement Award. Gala attendees will also have a chance to view his film “Chasing the Thunder.”

Tickets for the Gala are $75, refreshments included. Festival prices are: $15 for one film, $65 for five, $120 for 10, or $175 for an all-access wristband, which includes priority seating. Tickets are available at www.fhff.org . Students are free and may pick up their wristbands at the Friday Harbor Film Festival office at 10 First St., Friday Harbor. Hours are Tuesday-Sundays, noon-4 p.m.

Also this year, whether due to new marketing or partnering with Seattle’s The Stranger to sell tickets, sales have skyrocketed. “I strongly recommend people buy tickets now because there is a chance we could be sold out,” said Lynn Danaher festival founder and director.

Many of the films feature members of the island community. “Adrift” for example, is based on the book “Red Sky in Mourning,” a true story by islander Tami Oldham Ashcraft. After being caught at sea in a massive hurricane, an injured Ashcraft gathers her strength and uses what little is left of her boat to make over a month-long journey toward land.

Application Deadline Extended for Free Construction Basics Training at FH High School

The application deadline has been extended for the Construction Basics course offered by the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC).  The training will be a free program intended to benefit both participating students and local construction companies in need of more employees. The course will run this fall.

The training will be taught at the Friday Harbor High School STEM Center by Ravenhill carpenter Mike Murphy, who brings decades of carpentry and construction experience to the role. The curriculum has been designed for high school and college students and career changers. Students will learn core building skills, tool usage, safety, career and job information, and more. Qualifying participants will receive assistance in job placement with building companies throughout San Juan County.

This course is free to residents of San Juan County, but space is limited and requires both registration and a $10 filing fee. To apply, please visit the EDC’s website at www.sanjuansedc.org/trades. For more information call the EDC office at 360-378-2906 or email EDC Trades Coordinator at [email protected].

This program is sponsored by the San Juan Island Community Foundation, Ravenhill Construction, the San Juan Island School District, Green Man Landscape & Design, and Friday Harbor Ace Hardware. The EDC’s Trades Education Initiative is additionally sponsored by San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, the San Juan Island School District, Heritage Bank, and Islanders Bank.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County.  We believe a strong economy builds a strong community.  

On the first Sunday of each month November through February, expectant mothers are invited to move, swim and enjoy the bliss of buoyancy at SJI Fitness Club.

Meet and greet other pregnant women, connect with swimming mentors and enjoy a fun time of fitness and friendship. Think of this as an afterhours pool party for pregnant women.

As an added benefit we will help teach moms-to-be how they can be their child’s first swim instructor. Sponsored by Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor, this event is a drop-in program, no registration required.

First Sundays 4:00 to 5:30 on November 4, December 2, January 6, & February 3.

For more information call 360-378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org.  

Tamara Weaver shares this with you…

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Dan Levin Originals has closed it’s doors, and after 34 years in business, Dan and Diane Levin are dancing off into the sunset.

Dan and Diane’s original hand-crafted gold pendants – the Islands heart… the orca tail with sparkle of diamond… those pendants which catch me staring when worn by fortunate friends, are now collectables. We’ve missed our chance. Because, on August 14 this year, on Dan’s 80th birthday, he knew it was time to close the doors to their cute little shop on 50 First Street and travel! 

By the way, Dan’s secret to looking so great at 80 is walking 2-4 miles, every day, and being married to his wonderful wife, Diane. They were married in this van 50 years ago! When asked which of his pendants best represents their work, without hesitation, Dan chose the dolphin and anchor pendant, because it reminds him of their love and lifelong partnership.

Happy retirement, Dan and Diane!

Sarah McCullagh photo

Letter to the Editor:

The clock is running out for Southern Resident Killer Whale recovery. But the question is not, ‘How much time do we have?’ rather, ‘What can we do that will reverse the current extinction trend and how quickly can protection and recovery actions be implemented?’

As members of working groups for the Governor’s Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) Recovery and Task Force (Task Force) we’ve had the privilege of participating in a challenging, time consuming, sometimes frustrating, and hopefully productive process. Before the Task Force’s first report is issued on November 16, the public has one more opportunity to comment on draft recommendations from October 24 – 29. To learn how your comments can be most beneficial to the SRKWs, come to the commenting workshops on Thursday, October 25 from 5:00 – 7:00pm at Friends of the San Juans offices (650 Mullis Street, Suite 201) and/or Saturday, October 27 at the Cheesecake Café from 11am – 2pm with CALF (Community Action – Look Forward).

The Task Force’s iterative process, while cumbersome, will hopefully prove to be an effective method for elevating bold actions for salmon and killer whale recovery for Governor Inslee’s consideration next month. Public participation has provided some significant contributions to recommendations currently under consideration. Removal of the Snake River dams is a complicated and contentious issue that could have been punted to the future if not for public insistence and participation in the Task Force process. The Snake River dam removal may be a critical component of SRKW recovery, but will not, in and of itself, save the SRKW. Actions are needed in multiple areas. SRKW need enough to eat, quieter seas, and cleaner waters. Continue Reading

Contributed photo

It is time to register for the Island Rec’s Boy’s Basketball League, open to all boys in grades 2 through 8. The focus of this league is development and improvement of individual and team skills. Previous basketball experience is not required. All games are played on Island, Sundays in Turnbull Gym. Participants practice twice per week beginning the week of November 5^th.

Register online at www.islandrec.org or stop by the Island Rec Office. Final deadline to register is October 30, $50. Call 378-4953 for more information about the league or if you are interested in volunteering as a coach, referee or scorekeeper.

It’s October 24th,  and Rotary is celebrating World Polio Day to help raise awareness and the funding we need to reach full eradication.

Since its formation in 2003, Rotary Club of San Juan Islands has donated over $70,000 to ending polio. We contribute $1,000 annually through Concours d’Elegance. In addition, this year we gave $1,000 to campaign for Peking to Paris Endurance Motor Challenge, a 10,000 mile race to bring awareness to the End Polio Now program, and additional donations of $5,000 through club and individual giving.

In 30 years, we’ve gone from 125 polio-endemic countries to THREE (Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan), immunizing over 2.5 billion children. Yet, without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previous polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.

Please consider a donation today to the Rotary Foundation PolioPlus Fund at rotary.org/endpolio. Your gift will be matched 2-1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Help us see this fight to the end.

On Wednesday Oct 24, 2018, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a Regular School Board Meeting at 5:00 pm in the high school library.  This is an open public meeting.

All public comment, with the exception of public hearings on policy, budget or other specific items, will be heard during the “Public Comment” section of the Call to Order.  Anyone wishing to address the board on any topic will be scheduled to speak during the public comment period by the Administrative Assistant present at the board meeting.  Check in to be scheduled to speak will occur during the 15 minutes before the start of the meeting. Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Port District
Port Commission Meeting at 271 Front Street
(Port meeting room, under San Juan Yacht Club)

Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 4pm

Meeting Agenda: Continue Reading