Posted August 7, 2018 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions.
Additional information about each committee is available on the County’s website at: http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies.
Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council Office at: (360) 378-2898 [email protected]
Posted August 6, 2018 at 5:49 am by Tim Dustrude
Fellow Film Buffs,
Our next two films deal with the plight of Palestinian refugees confined to a camp within the city of Beirut, Lebanon. The first shows how a small problem can lead to major conflict (sort of like a butterfly flapping its wings can be the start of a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico!) while the second portrays how a group of women handed lemons turns them into lemonade.
They were chosen as a pair and I hope you choose to see both. Here are descriptions of these wonderful movies.
Tuesday August 7th at 7:30 pm
The Insult
Drama, Thriller Rated R Time 112 minutes
Arabic (with subtitles)
“The Insult” starts out as an allegory about Middle East wrongs and resentments that’s so sharp you could cut your fingers on it. Then it expands beyond the allegorical into actuality, all while walking a razor’s edge of dramatic tension and clear-eyed humanism. The film’s from Lebanon and was nominated for this year’s foreign language Oscar.
The plot starts as a petty feud between Tony, a hotheaded Beirut Christian auto mechanic, and Yasser, an aging Palestinian refugee illegally working as foreman on a neighborhood renovation project. As it escalates, Tony finally blurts out “I wish Ariel Sharon had wiped you all out.” Then what started as a local beef becomes a national and regional court case that inflames all sides and threatens to lead to further violence. I highly recommend you see this film.
Tuesday August 14th at 7:30 pm: Continue Reading
Posted August 6, 2018 at 5:46 am by Tim Dustrude
Announcing San Juan Island Community Foundation County Fair Match!
All Fairgoers are invited to visit the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s Fair booth next week in the main hall to learn about and boost support of eight special community projects.
The Community Foundation is pleased to match 50 cents on every dollar raised until each project goal has been reached!
The community projects featured are:
You can contribute by cash, check, or credit card or online at www.sjicf.org. Nonprofit representatives and Community Foundation staff and Board members will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
BONUS! Continue Reading
Posted August 6, 2018 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Photo by Virginia Guy
New Zealand-based Ren Lunicke (formerly Michelle Grube) grew up on San Juan Island part-time, then full-time, then in holiday time, and returns regularly to their home in Roche Harbor. After attending university in neighboring B.C., Canada, they started their professional career with the Island Stage Left, but relationships and opportunities drew them to Seattle for a while and they eventually moved to another little island chain in the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand.
Now an award-winning international touring writer/performer, they bring two of their highly entertaining, thought-provoking autobiographical works about identity and belonging as a part of families (Blood Relative) and as part of communities we build for ourselves (“Ze”). This double-bill “home season” has been squeezed into a larger West Coast Tour including Victoria, Langley, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Hawaii.
Zir Productions developed out of “Ze,” as a live performance production company committed to creating connection “beyond all binaries.”
Awards and Nominations:
Show #1
Blood Relative
Continue Reading
Posted August 6, 2018 at 5:44 am by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Islands Community Resource Guide: Help finding resources is now just a click away
The Community Health Initiatives Consortium – a group of civic leaders from across the county – recently launched the San Juan Islands Community Resource Guide. This web-based directory provides a central source of social, health and community resources for service providers and residents of Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Shaw Islands.
The genesis of the directory came nearly three years ago when a Community Health Needs Assessment reminded of the need for a comprehensive resource directory to assist health and service professionals, clients and the public. Previous paper directories were often out of date or incomplete making it difficult to provide accurate information.
Carrie Unpingco, executive director, San Juan Island Community Foundation, shared, “As a community foundation, one of our jobs is to help identify current and emerging issues as well as critical needs in the community. We find ways to address those short and long-term needs and help support a healthy thriving community. For several years and across all sectors of the community, individuals and organizations have told us they need a resource guide that will help island residents be better connected to the existing services.”
The current effort attempts to improve upon previous directories by providing a comprehensive resource where information is more easily updated and accessed. Continue Reading
Posted August 6, 2018 at 5:43 am by Tim Dustrude
“Sasquatch: Man-Ape or Myth?”
with David George Gordon
Author and Washington Humanities Speaker David George Gordon evaluates the data gathered about the legendary Northwest icon.
David discusses the rules of critical thinking and explains how one can become an effective “citizen scientist” by gathering credible evidence that can be used to substantiate the Sasquatch’s status as either Man-Ape or Myth.
At the Library
Wednesday, August 8th at 7:00 pm
Posted August 6, 2018 at 5:42 am by Tim Dustrude
Dear Beer and Wine Fans –
The 2018 San Juan County Fair is approaching! I will again be setting-up and the Beer and Wine booth. Pete Rose will manage the booth in my absence. And—I am looking for volunteers to sign up to help watch over the booth.
If you would like to help out, please sign up here: www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0948a4a72ca6ff2-2018
The Fair opens Wednesday August 15. It runs from 10am to 9pm, until Saturday
Posted August 5, 2018 at 5:47 am by Tim Dustrude
To the Editor:
We thank Representative Kris Lytton for her service to the 40th District and wish her well in her retirement. Kris Lytton did so much to support education in our state. We now need a leader who will work effectively to ensure the future for all of our children and grandchildren.
Alex Ramel is the candidate who will best represent the 40th District. Alex has the skills and the experience to address the challenges we face today. Alex is a careful listener and a coalition builder. His endorsements by both the Washington Conservation Voters and by the United Steelworkers (Anacortes refinery employees) showcase his ability to bring people together.
We need a State Representative who will build coalitions to protect the Salish Sea. Our islands’ economy and our quality of life are inextricably entwined with the health of our environment.
As an environmental organizer, Alex is a leader in opposing the Tesoro refinery’s petrochemical expansion project and has worked alongside First Nations and provincial leaders in British Columbia to oppose the trans mountain pipeline expansion and protect the Salish Sea from the increased threat of oil spills and vessel traffic impacts to the Southern Resident Killer Whales.
Learn more about Alex at https://www.alexramel.com/.
Please join us in voting for Alex Ramel for State Representative.
Sincerely,
Boyd and Lovel Pratt
Posted August 4, 2018 at 5:51 am by Tim Dustrude
In the SJ Update Mailbag this morning…
We could all make a list of the many reasons we choose to live on San Juan Island, but this afternoon I received another one to add. I was walking to Peace Island Medical Center for a late afternoon appointment. It was a warm afternoon, and I was early for my check-in. So I found a big rock on the road going out to the airport that was in a shady spot and sat down to chill out, literally and figuratively.
Suddenly, one of our paramedics pulled up, rolled down his window, and asked, “David, is everything okay? I don’t normally see you this far out from town. Do you need a ride or anything?”
I explained what was going on, and thanked him for taking the time to check. Then, in about 10 minutes or so, I walked on to the clinic with a big smile on my face.
Where else but Friday Harbor would that happen? We are so blessed.
Thanks again, Kyle!
David Bentley
Friday Harbor
Posted August 4, 2018 at 5:49 am by Tim Dustrude
Aerial view of OPALCO’s Decatur Island solar project – Contributed photo
OPALCO’s first big community solar project is complete and energized! On July 31, 2018, the 504KW-DC array began producing power. The 272 OPALCO members who invested in the project will begin to see credits on their September bill for the energy produced to date. Member participation ranged from one unit to as many as 160 solar units.
OPALCO pre-certified its project with the Washington State Renewable Energy System Incentive Program, assuring members a greater return on investment.
OPALCO has a vision of sustainable, resilient and energy efficient communities for the twenty remote islands it serves. Community Solar is a first step toward realizing its vision. In addition to the immediate benefits for the members who subscribed, the array provides a start of the local power supply in case of emergency and is part of a long-range strategy to keep rates lower for members as market power costs rise in years to come. Continue Reading
Posted August 4, 2018 at 5:49 am by Tim Dustrude
Further to what Sandy Strehlou just wrote about the other day, here is the county asking for your input…
2018 Fairgrounds Master Plan – Take the Survey!
The San Juan County Fairgrounds Master Plan, which was last updated in 2012, provides a roadmap for developing and operating the fairgrounds in a manner that is responsive to County residents and focuses on long-term economic sustainability. Beginning in summer 2018, a new planning process is underway to answer several important questions.
Did you miss the pop-up workshops on the Fairgrounds Master Plan development? You still have time to share your perspective using the project’s online survey. We want resident input from across San Juan County in order to build a vision for using and improving the fairgrounds. In particular, we want your ideas for making the fairgrounds economically sustainable while responding to the needs of County residents. Thank you for participating! All responses will be kept anonymous. Use the above link or go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SJCFMasterPlan.
Posted August 3, 2018 at 10:10 pm by Tim Dustrude
August 3, 2018, Roche Harbor, Washington. David King, a long-time resident of San Juan Island, died yesterday in a plane crash near the Lopez Island Airport. There were two highly-experienced pilots on board the single-engine plane, but no survivors. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, but San Juan County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord, who also acts as the County Coroner, told the family this morning that the crash appeared to be accidental.
David King was born May 2, 1942, in Los Angeles, and was raised in Laguna Beach, California. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn New York, in 1964. He worked as an engineer for a variety of companies, including TRW, Applied Technologies, and Northrup Grumman, where he retired in 2007. His specialty was electronic warfare and electromagnetic spectrum technologies.
On a driving trip across Canada in 1964, he heard about the San Juan Islands, and took a ferry to visit. He visited almost every year until 2007, when he retired to live full-time on San Juan Island, first in Friday Harbor, then on Davison Head, north of Roche Harbor.
From 2007 until 2010, he worked on the Orca Hydrophone Project, which allows visitors to Lime Kiln State Park to hear sealife while still on-shore. David designed the software for the project, but also helped pour concrete and set up the equipment to hear the whales. Continue Reading
Posted August 3, 2018 at 5:50 am by Tim Dustrude
Just some of the 28 people that came to Friday Harbor last year to help out the Home Trust – Tim Dustrude photo
The San Juan Community Home Trust shares this announcement with you…
Bike And Build, the national organization that combines bicycling trips and volunteerism in support of affordable housing, will be returning to San Juan Island on August 28 and 29.
This year, 24 riders and 4 support staff will be working on a Sun Rise I and II walking trail and planting beds (in the future connecting to the island trail network).
There will be a dinner for the hungry riders when they arrive on the 28th. If you would like to help out with donations of food or project materials, contact Chinmayo at 378-2523.
Posted August 3, 2018 at 5:49 am by Tim Dustrude
Heritage Bank is doing a month-long food drive to end childhood hunger. Here they are with the details…
We believe in building strong communities.
1 in 5 kids lives in a household that struggles to put food on the table.
That’s why, during the month of August, we are collecting donations of kid-friendly non-perishable food items.
Our goal is to provide 60,000 meals (78,000 pounds of food) to children in Washington and Oregon. Bring your donation of kid friendly non-perishable food items into any Heritage Bank branch during the month of August. Suggested items include:
You can also text “heritagehelps” to 41444 to donate. Just $10 provides 45 meals. Your cash donations support programs at Northwest Harvest, Emergency Food Network and the Oregon Food Bank.
Thank you for your donations!
Posted August 3, 2018 at 5:48 am by Tim Dustrude
There’s a good business opportunity right here in Friday Harbor. Post San Juan is for sale, and here are the details from the current owners…
Business Opportunity
Rare opportunity to own a viable commercial business in the quaint seaside town of Friday Harbor, Washington. Located on San Juan Island approximately 60 miles NW of Seattle Washington.
Post San Juan Mailing and Card Shop has been a profitable year-round business in Friday Harbor for over 25 years and continues to grow and service the packing, shipping and private mailbox needs of the residents and guests to the island in the middle of the Salish Sea / Puget Sound area of Washington State. Continue Reading
Posted August 3, 2018 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Birds FLY – Recent Works
Michael Dickter (Mixed media paintings) and Robin & John Gumaelius (Ceramic Sculpture), on display from August 3rd to 31st.
This delightful show represents a fusion of forms: painterly canvases on the wall and ceramic sculptures on pedestals.
The gallery is alive with kinetic ceramic creatures from Robin and John, that cavort and play in an imaginary world created by this wife and husband team.
And the gallery walls will dance with the forms of beautiful flowers and flying birds in Michael’s painted mixed media landscapes.
Reception: Friday, August, 3rd 4-7 Pm
And if you cannot attend the show, then on Saturday, August 4th from 11-1 pm, Robin and John Gumaelius will be at the gallery for an informal gathering to chat about their ceramic sculpture