In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we find a letter from Adam Eltinge…

On April 24^th, join me in voting Yes for the San Juan Island School District’s levy renewal. This levy represents vital funding that the school district needs in order to continue offering the programs and services that we currently have.

The state still has not fully funded schools, which is why they have authorized local levies. 100% of this levy stays local and it funds mandated programs such as special education, and services which are essential but not fully funded by the state, such as Nursing, Counseling, and additional teachers to reduce our class sizes.

Join me in supporting our schools by voting Yes.

Sincerely,
Adam Eltinge

Hi San Juan Update! 

We need your help! We’re excited to announce that both of our lodging properties, Tuckerhouse Inn B&B and Harrison House Suites, have made it to the Sweet 16 for the annual Best B&B Breakfast Tournament, a nationwide contest. Both will be competing to advance to the Top 8 by receiving the most votes online. Our Breakfast Tacos recipe (pictured above) is the entry for Tucker House Inn. Cast your vote on MONDAY 3/26 to help us advance to the next round! 

VOTE HERE: https://www.bedandbreakfast.com/info/best-bb-breakfast-tournament

Our Breakfast Risotto recipe (pictured below) is the entry for The Harrison House Suites. Cast your vote on WEDNESDAY 3/28 to help us advance to the next round! 

SUBSTRATE underlying Currents

In the spacious Nichols Gallery at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA), Susan Singleton, Kandis Susol and Hannah Alex-Glasser have created an elegant exhibition, SUBSTRATE: underlying currents. The three artists worked together to bring mature, intelligent work inspired by natural forms to the public. The close association of the artists and their philosophies bring an unmistakable harmony to the exhibition.

The theme for SJIMA’s 2018 is THE FEMALE GAZE, as it focuses on a select group of dedicated, innovative and insightful artists who bring a feminine perspective to their creations and to our experience. These women share a devotion to their craft and an important counterbalancing message of peace, healing and beauty in troubled times.

All expertly use materials and processes indigenous to our lush northwest. Susan’s prints are designed with wax, demar resin and paper whereas Kandis uses wax in an encaustic approach with Japanese Washi paper and paper from Nepal and India. Hannah’s clay works are hand-built, unglazed vessels inspired by nature. Continue Reading

San Juan Island EMS shares this community paramedicine info with you…

In 2014 a group of advocates, firefighters, paramedics, state nurses, home health and hospital associations gathered together to pass a law in Washington state that allows pre-hospital providers to serve patients outside of emergency situations. The law had previously stated EMTs and paramedics could only provide care during an emergency.

Since the early 90’s community paramedic programs have tended to develop from the grassroots level to fill community healthcare gaps in an integrated fashion with public health agencies, home health providers, hospitals, and others. These days many 911 calls are not emergent situations. EMTs and paramedics are often the first to see these community members without the resources they need to get help. The only option they know of is to call 911. Community paramedicine bridges the gap between healthcare provider and the resources vulnerable populations need, avoiding costly ER visits and enabling them to get on the road to better health.

The main goal of the community paramedicine program is to improve the quality of life and health for our citizens while reducing the cost of healthcare. Our paramedics and EMTs are trusted and respected for their medical expertise and are often consulted for healthcare advice by their friends and neighbors. Continue Reading

Do you have a talent you want to practice in public, and maybe win a prize?  Friday Harbor Grange #225 and Community Treasures are sponsoring a Talent contest at the Friday Harbor Middle School on April 5th at 6:30 pm.

There are 3 categories: Vocal, Instrumental, Variety – Performers using skill, timing, grace, dexterity of body movement etc.  These “novelty” acts would include: dancing, skits, monologs, reading, comedy, etc.

Entry forms must be turned in to CT, or sent via email [email protected] by April 3rd, 2018.  Division one (age 8-12) prizes are small gifts and certificates.  Division 2 (age 13-98) prizes are:

• 1st place $250
• 2nd place $100
• 3rd place $50
• 4th place $25

Division 2 winners have an opportunity to move on to State and National competitions. 

This contest is open to all ages and anyone who wants to have a good time and share or practice his/her talent.

Contest rules and judging criteria: Continue Reading

Do you have a child who may need special help in speech, motor skills or other developmental areas?

San Juan Island School District is having a free screening clinic for children aged three to five years to screen development in motor, communication, or adaptive skills, where there may be a concern.

• Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2018
• Place: Head Start Building
• Time: 12:00 -3:00 p.m.

Please call 370-7801 to make an appointment with Connie Domenech during school hours or e-mail [email protected].

Early intervention has been proven to be beneficial. San Juan Health and Community Services provides FREE screening and evaluation for children aged birth to three years if you have any concerns about their growth and development. Please call 360-378-4474 to schedule an appointment. Continue Reading

Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) shares this video which was shot by member Western Prince Whale Watching. The video was captured this week off of Spieden Island and it shows the T2C family of Bigg’s Killer Whales hunting a Steller Sea Lion.

At about 2:54 into the video, a group of 20+ Steller Sea Lions comes to the defense of the hunted one and helps it escape. (Video Credit: Western Prince Whale Watching and Pacific Whale Watch Association).

PWWA continues to report lots of Bigg’s Orca sightings this week. This thriving population feeds on marine animals, and as such are not dependent on the dwindling salmon populations.

Interestingly, the T2C family also comes to the aid of one of their family members: T2C2 (Tumbo). Tumbo suffers from scoliosis and is slower than the rest of his family. When they make a kill they often wait for him to catch up and share their meal with him. More information can be found in this blog post, and here on Facebook.

Home Trust Morning Arrival – Kevin Holmes photo

Kevin Holmes shares this photo from early this morning. This is the barge arriving at Jackson’s Beach with 2 new homes for the SJ Community Home Trust. High tide at 5:00 AM was the best time for unloading. The homes are now on their way across the Lafarge Open Space (the old gravel pit) to the Sun Rise II neighborhood.

Thank you Kevin – Great photo!

(L-R) Zoe Calverley, Per Black, Leah Black, & Addi Kesler. Photo-bombing the team is Tashi Calverley – Contributed photo

Friday Harbor Sailors Take 3rd, Orcas Wins The Quartermaster Ranking Regatta

While the weekend of March 17 and 18 beckoned many to their gardens, it was a hard-fought weekend of sailing for the Islands’ high school sailing teams. Held at Dockton Regional Park, on Maury Island in lovely Quartermaster Harbor, teams from Bellingham to Hood River, Oregon came out looking to secure a spot in the District Championships, which will be held in late April. The winners of Districts are eligible for the national championships. There were seven spots on the line for the Districts, and both Friday Harbor and Orcas were looking to punch their ticket.

In High School dinghy racing, the regatta winner is determined by the combined score of two boats, that sail in different fleets, typically an “A” fleet and a “B” fleet. The lowest score of the combined “A” and “B” fleets wins. The first-place boat in any given race gets one point, the second two, third three and so on until the final boat crosses the line. The Quartermaster Ranking Regatta had 19 boats competing from 19 schools in the Varsity (or Gold) division, and 18 teams from 15 schools in the Junior Varsity (Silver) division.

Racing was held on both Saturday and Sunday, and the Gold fleets finished 11 races under light, shifty winds. While the prevailing breeze was southerly, it could shift 10 or more degrees without warning, rewarding the sailors who could quickly read and then tack on these “shifts,” and sometimes allowing a boat to make up spots on competitors who were on the other side of the course, and not getting the benefit of the wind’s changed position. Continue Reading

English Camp trail along Westcott Bay – Contributed photo

Get to know our National Park Superintendent Elexis Fredy as she leads us along the Bell Point and Westcott trails at English Camp.  Elexis will tell us about the new totem pole, our tribal partners, forest health and the new group campsite. 

Terrain is moderate, distance is 4 miles and dogs on lease are welcome. 

Meet at the English Camp parking lot. Saturday March 24th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

The San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Island National Historical Park, along with students from Stillpoint School and Spring Street International School, celebrate the “Year of the Bird” for National Poetry Month.

Beginning April 1st, the Land Bank’s Westside Lake trail loop at Limekiln Preserve will feature bird-inspired poems written by students ages 5-13.

The Poetry Trail is yours to explore during regular Preserve hours throughout the month of April, with a nature poetry writing event, Play with Words – Tips on Writing Nature Inspired Poetry, scheduled from 11am to 12:30pm at the Westside Lake Bird Blind on Saturday, April 7.

This free event is presented by San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Island National Historical Park.

For more information contact Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or email [email protected].

Friday Harbor Middle School PTA Spring Fundraiser Kick’s Off Thursday Night!

The Friday Harbor Middle School PTA is kicking off its Spring Basket Fundraiser at the this week’s FH Middle School Players’ performances of “The Humor Games,” running Thursday, March 22 through Sunday, March 25 at San Juan Community Theatre.

Raffle tickets will be sold in SJCT’s lobby for $5 each or $20 for 5. Basket themes include a load of gravel, a family fun package, and an adventure package.

For more information please contact FHMS PTA board member, Tanja Williamson at 360-472-0337.

Lisa Henderson sworn in – Contributed photo

The San Juan County Council appointed Lisa Henderson as County Clerk at its regularly scheduled meeting on March 20, 2018.  

Ms. Henderson, who has served as the Chief Deputy Clerk since 2014, will take on immediately the full duties of the Office of County Clerk and serve for the remainder of the year.  

In making the appointment, the Council praised Ms. Henderson’s effort to keep the office running smoothly over the past several months while elected County Clerk Joan White battled an illness that ultimately claimed her life.    

Merri Ann Simonson shares another entry in her San Juan Islands Lifestyle Video Series. This one is about the San Juan Island Yacht Club Fishing Derby.

Vernal Equinox – Tim Dustrude photo

It’s the Vernal Equinox. At 9:15 AM Pacific time, the sun will cross the equator as it heads back into the northern hemisphere. Daytime and nighttime are equal today, but moving forward, light will conquer darkness and the days will be longer than the nights.

Spring time, warmer weather… here it comes!

A scene from The Humor Games – Jan Bollwinkel photo

“Punny” Play from Friday Harbor Middle School Players

It’s all about who will have the last laugh when the Friday Harbor Middle School Players present The Humor Games at San Juan Community Theatre on Thursday through Sunday, March 22-25.

Dean O’Connell’s slapstick parody of The Hunger Games finds young Katskills Wintergreen taking a pie in the face for her little sister Dim to enter herself into the “Humor Games,” a comedy battle to the death.

FHMS and FHHS drama coach and director Jenni Merritt says that in addition to having fun and making audiences laugh, the production is also about providing more challenges to students to learn additional aspects of life on and off the stage.  The middle school cast of 31 and student tech crew also features, for the first time, a student director assisting Merritt. 

Chiara directs the cast – Jan Bollwinkel photo

High school sophomore Chiara Power has been acting in several plays and musicals at SJCT since she was eight years old. And while she did write and direct a short play for a Playwrights Festival once, this is her first big gig as a director. And according to Jenni, so far…so great: “I was sick last week and when I came back, I asked the cast how it was working with Chiara and they cheered—they’re excited to be learning from a peer,” she said. Chiara says she too is learning a lot. “It’s really important to be communicative with the cast and crew. I knew that as an actor, but this is showing me just how important that is.”

Curtain times for The Humor Games are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Business Partner for the production is Friday Harbor Suites. Thursday is “Pay What You Can” at the door; tickets for Friday through Sunday are $12 each and are available online at www.sjctheatre.org or at the SJCT Box Office (360) 378-3210.