Tami Oldham Ashcraft

Tami Ashcraft’s book “Red Sky in Mourning” has been made into a major motion picture called “Adrift”, starring Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin.

On June 1st, the movie opens here at the Palace Theater and Tami will be there to greet the audience. There will also be a book titled “Adrift” as a tie-in with the movie, and Tami will be doing a book signing for that at the SJI Library on July 2nd at 7:00 pm.

To learn more about the movie, see the official press release below…

On June 1, STXfilms is set to release Adrift in movie theatres nationwide, directed by Baltasar Kormákur (Everest), and starring two-time Golden Globe nominee Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies) and star of The Hunger Games franchise, Sam Claflin. This survivalist adventure/drama tells the remarkable true story of Tami Oldham Ashcraft, who penned her traumatic tale with Susea McGearhart in her memoir Red Sky in Mourning almost 16 years ago. Continue Reading

Barbershop Bonanza is excited to sing for you Sunday, June 3rd at 2:00 pm.

For 22 years now, Barbershop Bonanza has honored a uniquely American music with contemporary and old-time favorites full of four-part harmonies and adding a Cappella choral selections, as well.

Directed by Angel Michaels, the Bonanza is hosted by San Juan’s mixed barbershop chorus, Island Chordsmen Plus and features the island’s local women’s a Capella ensemble, Sound Vibrations and a couple of our quartets! A special off-island mixed quartet will be announced soon!

Festival seating at the Whittier Theatre; all tickets $20

PeaceHealth webinar:
Five surprising lessons from stroke survivors

This year alone, according to the American Stroke Association, nearly 800,000 people in the United States will experience a stroke. Knowing how to recognize the symptoms can make all the difference.

To promote awareness during National Stroke Month, PeaceHealth is hosting a free online webinar called “Making a Comeback: Five Surprising Lessons from Stroke Survivors.” It will be held from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 22.

During the webinar, participants will learn how to prevent and recognize a stroke and they’ll also get a unique look into the stroke rehabilitation process. The featured speakers will be Louise Jenkins, MSN and Joanie Peckels, lead stroke ambassador for PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington. Continue Reading

Barbara Bevens of the SJC Fair Board, shares these thoughts with you…

If you go to Wikipedia while searching for County Fair it will redirect you to “Agricultural Show.”

Pretty weird, huh?

We always think of the County Fair as a local event where we go to meet our friends, to see the animals, ride the rides and eat Fair food.

The first two parts, meeting friends and seeing animals hold true to the original definition and stem back to 1768 in England and has since evolved into much more. County Fairs provide the locals with a break from the daily routine and are a means to showcase products and achievements. Sound familiar?

County Fairs generally have livestock shows, competitions for best critter, best hay, best dog, best cat, best rabbit, chicken, horse, pig, cow, goat, sheep, flowers, vegetables, art, photography…….and, and, and more. Continue Reading

Sophia is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Trust me. I am the only thing that stands between the vacuum cleaner and your entire family’s safety. That monster with the long, long tail does not stand a chance against me. Your hideous ordeal is over. I will protect you from the beast and be your best friend, confidante and cuddle-buddy!

My name is Sophia and all you need to do is give me a chance. Rest assured, I WILL slay the dragon in the closet!

I’m here at the animal shelter – awaiting your orders.

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
111 Shelter Road
(360) 378-2158

Skagit Valley College announces academic Honor Roll for Winter Quarter

In support of student success, Skagit Valley College is pleased to announce that the following students were placed on the Academic Honor Roll for Winter Quarter, 2018. To qualify, students must maintain a 3.75 or higher grade point average while carrying 12 or more credits.

Friday Harbor
April Esposito
Jordan Hoss
Ana Sanabria Continue Reading

Update on local, state, national issues with League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will present a panel discussion on the present situation and future outlook for the county from 12:30-2:30 p.m., Monday, June 11 at the San Juan Island Library meeting room.

The following local officials will share their views on how national, state and local changes have affected islanders and what to expect in the future.

• Jennifer Armstrong, director of the Family Resource Center
• Lincoln Bormann, director of the San Juan County Land Bank
• Elexis Fredy, superintendent of the San Juan Island National Historic Park
• John Geyman M.D., author of several books on U.S. health care reform
• Duncan Wilson, Town of Friday Harbor Administrator

This program is open to the public, and is an opportunity to hear about the state of the community. The panel will take questions and lead discussion after their presentations.

To learn more about LWVSJ, follow them on Facebook @LWVSanJuans.

Dear Editor,

San Juan Island School Board Director Ralph Hahn announced his resignation from the school board on April 30, 2018. The school board accepted his resignation at the May 16, 2018 special board meeting. San Juan Island School District is currently seeking persons interested in public education to fill this unexpired term as a board member. The next election to fill this position will be the regularly scheduled election of November, 2019. Qualified candidates will be individuals who are dedicated to quality education for all students. Good communication skills and a working knowledge of local school district operations will also be an asset in this position.

To be eligible to serve as a San Juan Island School District Board Member, an applicant must be a registered voter on San Juan Island. In addition, an applicant may not be an employee of the school district or a member of the State Board of Education. Continue Reading

Joyce L. Sobel

Please join us in a Celebration of the life of Joyce.

June 9th, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at Mullis Center, 589 Nash Street.

We will be sharing memories and stories from 1-3pm followed by a community gathering until 5. The gathering will be casual and people of all ages are welcome.

If you would like to share a special memory, please contact Duncan Sobel at [email protected].

Former Wolverines First baseman Hannah Hopkins (now a radio analyst) says the building of the state power fast pitch program was started by Brian Lambright and his staff – Contributed photo

Oly Archibald shares the lowdown on the Lady Wolverines…

With Concrete and Darrington deciding to not take to the diamond against the big bullies from Friday Harbor in the NW 2B District Tournament, the Lady Wolverines will make their 4th straight trip to the WIAA State Tournament in Yakima.

The Wolverines will play the winner of Saturday’s 12 pm game between Orcas Island and La Conner for the District Championship at 2 pm in Sedro-Woolley. 

Wolverine Skipper Brian Lambright has now taken the Wolverines to state in all 4 years of running the Wolverine Fast pitch team. Before Lambright took over the program the Wolverines only had 6 state tournament appearances, now they have 10.  Continue Reading

Bill Severson writes to let you know about a change to the walk scheduled for next Saturday…

In the SJ Update mailbag today we find this letter from Mike and Jeri Ahrenius…

Dear Editor,

Since Benjamin Jensen came to San Juan Island in the mid 1880’s, the Jensen’s have been involved in the marine industry. The first boats were built for transporting goods and people. Then the commercial fish boats and finally the pleasure boats.

From sail to steam, to diesel and gas, oh, the changes we’ve seen. From Benjamin, to Albert and his brothers, Pete, Frank and Joe, then to Nourdine, what a legacy they have made.

The last boat was built in 1984 and since then we’ve been concentrating on maintenance and repair, moorage and storage. It has been an honor to serve our islands and we have been blessed with support from family and friends, customers and community.

There is little joy in the leaving but we are confident the Port of Friday Harbor will do an excellent job taking our shipyard into the future.

With our sincere thanks,

Mike & Jeri Ahrenius

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

Covered Pot – Artwork by Marjorie Walker

A new public art project is coming to Friday Harbor in June. Keep a look out for a new installation in the Sunshine Alley Breezeway, the narrow alley next to the Palace Theatre, honoring island artist Marjorie Walker.

I remember Marjorie Walker. As a teenager I took a pottery class from her at her Little Different Studio on False Bay. More recently, I have learned a great deal more about her from Friday Harbor’s Historic Preservation Coordinator Sandy Strehlou. Sandy has been working with a research team to uncover the fascinating history of perhaps our island’s first full time professional artist for the upcoming exhibit.

Marjorie Walker came from a well off family back east, traveled the world and studied at the prestigious Art Student League in New York. She and her sister Jean arrived on San Juan Island in 1949. “We arrived with 14 dogs, four goats, Marjorie’s three-year-old son, Timmy, and knew not one soul” said Jean*. Marjorie drew in charcoal and pastels, painted in watercolor and oil, made silk screen prints, knit sweaters from her own sheep’s wool, wrote and illustrated a children’s book, but is perhaps best known for her pottery. “She’s the greatest island artist we have” said San Juan pioneer Etta Egeland*.

Among my treasures is a hand painted card that Marjorie sent my granddad Frank Mullis, “Dear Mr. Mullis, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your thought of bringing the blocks to Timmie. He enjoys them so much. Many Thanks. Wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year.” The card is dated 1-1-1??? Unfortunately the card was so loved and thumbtacked up for so long that where the thumbtacks were the paper is now gone. Hand-painted, it is captioned “Gulls”.

“Gulls” – Artwork by Marjorie Walker

*The Islands’ Sounder, Wednesday, November 4, 1987, Article by Jo Baily-Cummings

Danielle Wheeler of Electrolysis San Juan has opened a 2nd location on Orcas. Here she is with the details…

Permanent Hair Removal is Now Available on Orcas Island!

To better serve clients looking for permanent hair removal options, Electrolysis San Juan, LLC is pleased to announce the opening of a second location in the Spa in the Athletic Center in Eastsound, Washington.

Danielle Wheeler (owner and electrologist) is excited to bring her skills and expertise to the new location on Orcas Island. She will be open on Mondays in Eastsound from 10:30am to 6:00pm.

In addition to Mondays on Orcas, Danielle also sees clients on San Juan Island Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 to 4:30pm. Sunday appointments are available by request.

If you would like to learn more about permanent hair removal with electrolysis, feel free to schedule a complimentary consultation. Booking is easy! It can be done online at www.electrosj.com or by contacting [email protected] or (360) 298-4068.

The next Art for Fun art pARTy is coming up this Saturday, May 19, from 9:30 am – 11:45 am at San Juan Islands Museum of Art.

The featured painting is “Peace, Love and Boats”. Participants will follow step-by-step instructions to complete the 14″ x 16″ painting in about 2 hours. 

To register for the class, visit http://www.sjima.org.  All supplies are provided by the museum and the cost is $35 per person.

All levels of experience are welcome!

Lunch is Fish Tacos on Friday, May 18

The Fish for Teeth Taco Team will be making fish tacos this Friday, May 18 at the SJI Community Theater. The first taco will be served at 11: 00 a.m., and go until they run out, or to 2:00 p.m., whichever comes first. A taco can be yours for an $8.00 donation.

These “tacos” are more like burritos; a large flour tortilla (corn is available also), stuffed with wild Alaskan rockfish, cheese, Pablito’s Salsa, seasoned cabbage, and topped with a squeeze of lime.

All proceeds go to fund the Medical Teams International Mobile Dental Van, which comes to San Juan Island for two or three days every January, May, and October. Lopez Island will be serviced for one day this year, and/or the clinic duration will be expanded to to three days on San Juan Island. The Tooth clinic has already happened this time—it was held May 11-12 on San Juan Island.

The Kiwanis Club of Friday Harbor is once again lending a hand with the taco effort, which is the main fundraising source. Fish for Teeth is 100% self-sufficient and draws no government funding; our funding comes from the Fish Taco Fundraisers and from individual contributions. We are a 501-c-3 organization and accomplish our mission with a 100% volunteer effort, including the local dental professionals who staff the van for each clinic, and the supporting staff who schedule patients, and check them in prior to their dental visit.

If anyone is interested in volunteering for either Team Taco or Team Tooth, please contact us through the website at www.fishforteeth.com. Donations can also be made on the website, or by mailing a check to PO Box 2084 in Friday Harbor.