Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Unlike liquor, your water source in San Juan County is not guaranteed and must be acquired and cared for.

When you first consider purchasing an unimproved parcel of land you should condition your purchase upon a satisfactory water source. The days of clients purchasing land without the water source determined are long gone. Further, if one hopes to use institutional financing, the lender will require that the water source be acceptable in quality and quantity. Lenders will also require a valid septic system permit and access to an electrical power provider.

The majority of non-platted parcels in the San Juan Islands are serviced by individual wells. Most subdivisions offer access to a community water system, and some urban areas offer public systems.

Types of water sources in the islands include:

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San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College Commencement 2017

The San Juan Center invites our island communities to attend the San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College Commencement on June 14, at 1:00pm at  Brickworks (150 Nichols Street) in Friday Harbor.

This year the San Juan Center will have the honor of celebrating the achievement of one academic degree graduate, Ms. Autumn Hallock.
Autumn returned to school as an adult, and has been successfully following the path toward her AA DTA degree while working and raising a family. Autumn receives high honors (GPA 3.8 to 4.0) along with her degree.

Autumn will be representing the San Juan Islands by speaking at the graduation on the importance of self, community and education. After a restful summer, she plans to attend Western Governor’s University to begin work on her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with the career goal of teaching in grades K-8.

During the graduation we will also be honoring 20 Marine Technology students who will be in attendance. Continue Reading

Married painters, Anelecia Hannah Brooks and Charles Philip Brooks, debut a new selection of works at WaterWorks Gallery. Together, the artists’ paintings reverberate with quiet. Each piece reflects the ethereal atmosphere specific to our Pacific Northwest.

Anelecia and Charles are both inspired by the grey opalescent air of the Pacific Northwest. Anelecias’s paintings focus on single, everyday items and the associations they evoke. Charles paints the sky, sea and land with an awareness of the passing of time and of the transcendental force of the natural world.

Reception for the artists Friday June 9th 4 – 7 pm

Please join Anelecia and Charles for an informal artist talk/walk offering insight into the show, Saturday June 10th 11:30 to 1:30 pm. The show runs from June ​9th to 24th.

The Group Leaders: Giana Moalli, Grace Eltinge, Maggie Zehner, Ava Martin, Katie Ryan & Milo Martin – Contributed photo

by Theresa Simendinger

In collaboration; the SJ Trails Committee, and Island Rec sponsored the great idea from the Land Bank and the National Park Service of a family event, hiking out to Briggs Lake, for the Family Nature Club on June 4th. On a bright spring-like day, youth leader Ava Martin, 11, and friends set a bouncy pace out to Briggs Lake in the Roche Harbor Highlands. Roche Harbor, as most are aware, allows hiking, riding of bikes and horses and all around good times outdoors in nature on their open space.

This group was made up of families, all walkers some with strollers, 44 in all and 24 kids under 15! Lamenting the facts of not
enough kids outdoors, the groups came together with this idea to get everyone outdoors, and ask the kids to lead it, promote it and scout it in advance. And they did, they hung posters all over town and schools, and talked to their friends and families.

Raena Parsons of the NPS gives a talk on amphibians: frogs,toads, newts, salamanders – Contributed photo

The Martin family are all avid hikers, including the Grandparents. Ava and her dad Randy hiked out to check mileage and different routes in advance.

Raena Parsons of the National Park Service gave a well-received (by the kids especially) short talk on frogs, newts, lizards etc. After lunch some with very small children walked the mile back to the parking area. But Ava and friends led the rest around the complete lake loop trail of 5 miles. By all accounts a great day outside!

Many thanks to Public Works for fixing the storm-ruined parking area just in time for the event.

The next (monthly) Family Nature Club Event is Tide Pooling, Saturday July 22 from 9:30-11:30 with long time FH Labs researcher, Dr Erika Iyengar.
Meet at Lime Kiln Point State Park to walk down to the Land Bank’s Deadman Bay Preserve.

Stuart Island Aurora – © Chris Teren – Teren Photography – Click to enlarge

Local photographer extraordinaire Chris Teren is the Nature Conservancy’s Photographer of the Month. Check out Chris’ awesome photo of the Aurora Borealis and read some background on his photography career…

“Right after college, I had a rough break up. I was breaking up with the Rocky Mountains. I loved them dearly, and they loved me back. But it turned into tough love, as my obsession with the mountains, and skiing on those mountains, virtually destroyed my knees….”

Continue reading

It’s time for the June edition of the SJI Historical Society’s History Column…

Not all of the photographs cataloged in the current archives project at the San Juan Historical Museum are of distant eras with prim ladies in long skirts and little boys in knickers. There is much history to be preserved from more recent decades, as well.

This snapshot from 1968 is eye-catching in that it documents a line of cars waiting for the ferry – on Spring Street – from the waterfront up the hill to its intersection with First Street.

Who has stories to share from those days? The Scribner’s Market sign on the right edge of the photograph reminds us of the street’s market history prior to Friday Harbor Grocery and even Roberson’s Market in the same spot.

The larger message is that every decade of a community’s history is important. Each snapshot has its place and some provide pretty interesting documentation.

SJI Chamber of Commerce Featured Member of the Month – Friday Harbor Art Studio

Howie Rosenfeld print making in the art studio – Carrie Lacher photo

Howie Rosenfeld’s Friday Harbor Art Studio has a new location at 321 Geneste Street. After 25 years as a retail business on Web Street, the Studio is now home based and by appointment. Howie has had retail art galleries here for over 30 years, providing custom picture framing and featuring his artwork. “I wanted to continue to provide picture framing.  A new Studio has been built next to the house, which is a short 2-1/2 blocks from the old location. Call, email or text and let me know when is convenient for you. So far it’s working well” he says.  (360) 378-5788, [email protected] and (360) 472-1053.

Howie’s artwork is also exhibited at Island Studios. What is his art? Howie became a scrimshaw artist way back when President Kennedy had scrimshaw on his desk. This also led him to be an early joiner of the whale conservation movement. He later switched to ‘scrimshawing’ copper, which is an engraver’s printmaking technique. Howie’s subjects reflect his experiences sailing on tall ships and from participation in whale research. 

Howie likes to be involved. A short list includes Whale Museum Director, Friday Harbor Fire Chief, Town Council and County Council. He is married to Carrie Lacher who took the photo of Howie working his ink during printmaking.

Howard -Howie- Rosenfeld
Friday Harbor Art Studio
321 Geneste St.
Friday Harbor, WA 98250 USA
(360) 378-5788 (w) – (360) 472-1053 (c)
www.howardrosenfeld.com – [email protected]

From the Family of David Hall – February 6, 1957 – March 7, 2017

We would like to express our sincere ‘Thank You’ for helping us through such a difficult time. Perhaps you sent a lovely card, or came to visit while Dave was in hospice care, perhaps you sent flowers, made dinner or made a donation to help with the medical expenses. Perhaps you sent us prayers and positive thoughts. Perhaps you helped with his Celebration of Life event.

Whatever you did to console our hearts, to ease our pain, we ‘Thank You’ so much whatever the part. You gave us a gift and your kindness has made such a difference and will always be remembered. We hope you know how much you and our community means to us.

Thank you & much love from,
Nadine Hall, Jacob & Relissa Hall, Ian & Jessie Joujan, Katie Hall & Cory Parsons

Fox Kit – Wolf Hollow photo

Here’s an announcement for you from Wolf Hollow…

As spring babies are born, you might be lucky enough to spot delicate deer fawns, furry fox and raccoon kits and little downy ducklings. Baby wild animals are so cute, and sometimes our natural instinct is to get close to them.

However, it is much better for these wild youngsters if we keep our distance and use binoculars or a long lens for photography to watch or photograph them without interfering with their natural behavior.

Too much human interaction can make it difficult for wild parents to raise their kids, and wild youngsters that get used to being around people have less chance of survival in the wild.

When animals come to Wolf Hollow, we take great care to respect their need to stay wild by minimizing human interaction . We maintain appropriate habitats and rehab methods to encourage animals to develop their natural skills as quickly as possible.

Please help us spread the word to your friends and neighbors so these wild babies can grow up healthy and wild. Keep your distance and resist the urge to feed them. Thank you!

You can read more announcements at Wolf Hollow Happenings for May/June 2017.

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics Names 10 Exemplary Outdoor Areas Across the Country to Receive New Gold Standard Designation

The Gold Standard Sites Help Achieve the Organization’s Goal of ‘Leave No Trace in Every Park’

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics today announced 10 public land recreation areas across the country that demonstrate successful ‘Leave No Trace’ ethics and showcase strong organizational commitment to the promotion of outdoor skills, ethics and stewardship that help preserve and protect their natural landscape for generations to come.

The new Gold Standard designation is part of The Center’s ‘Leave No Trace in Every Park’ initiative that recognizes outdoor spaces demonstrating the highest standard of practicing and promoting Leave No Trace ethics. The 10 areas named will now ultimately act as models for other public lands across the country to emulate. The following areas will receive the designation in 2017:

1. San Juan Islands National Monument – Lopez Island, Washington
2. Knob Noster State Park – Knob Noster, Missouri
3. New River Gorge National River – Glen Jean, West Virginia
4. Isle Royale National Park – Houghton, Michigan
5. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – Sand Springs, Georgia
6. Coconino National Forest – Flagstaff, Arizona
7. Cheaha State Park – Delta, Alabama
8. Olympic National Park – Port Angelese, Washington
9. Shenandoah National Park – Luray, Virginia
10. Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine

“We are excited to formalize a program that recognizes the hard work and achievements that all of these public lands have made to demonstrate Leave No Trace ethics and successful implementation of our practices,” said Dana Watts, Executive Director of Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. “With our Leave No Trace in Every Park campaign it’s our goal to award all outdoor areas across the country with the Gold Standard designation to ensure the beauty of our landscapes are preserved for the future.” Continue Reading

All of us involved in Parkinson’s Alert Dogs (PADs for Parkinson’s) are profoundly grateful for the recent grant from the San Juan Island Community Foundation. The funding was specifically from the San Juan Island Women’s Fund (a pooled Donor Advised Fund), several other Donor Advised Funds, and a private pass-through donation in support of our program to train dogs to detect Parkinson’s Disease.

As we train dogs to detect PD reliably, then early diagnosis of the disease – for which there is currently no objective test, such as a blood test or brain scan – can be improved. Early detection will allow symptoms of this debilitating and costly disease to be treated before they become life changing and life threatening.

Demonstrating that dogs can indeed identify PD will allow our organization to help broaden the use of this economical and non-invasive screening method for early detection of this still poorly understood disease. Thank you for your support!

Lisa Holt, Program Director
The two volunteer staff members
The nine volunteer handlers and their fabulous dogs
The Board of Directors

Francie Hansen – Aaron Shepard photo

It’s time to start thinking about your fabulous Fair Fashion–that’s Trashion Fashion to be exact!

The Trashion Fashion Show will be Saturday August 19th at 5:00pm on the Main Stage–and we just couldn’t let her leave… the lovely Francie Hansen is back at it bringing the show to life once again!

All entrants or models of the entry must attend the Walk-Through Rehearsal, Monday, August 14th, 6:00pm at the Main Stage, by the Main entrance on Argyle Ave. You must attend the rehearsal. The actual Trashion Fashion show is on Saturday August 19th at 5:00pm on the Main Stage (Yes! new time—previously at 6pm!)

If you do not want to model your entry, you are encouraged to find a model. Please let us know if you need assistance with this—we can find one for you in a pinch.

Here are some ideas!

• Create an outfit you could wear again. (Good design, well sewn, etc.)
• Use those recycled materials!
• Re-use that trash! (items that are destined for the land fill)
• Make something related to the Fair theme! (This year its “San Juan County Fair…It’s All the Buzz”)

Register Now! You may have everything you need right in your own backyard!

Click here for registration form (PDF) Trashion-Fashion-2017

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

O.K. That does it. I’ve been enchanting visitors at the animal shelter for months now with my adorable antics and exceptionally wonderful personality.

Still no takers. If someone doesn’t adopt me soon I’m going to ship myself off to my cousin’s house in Omaha. The last time I checked, that was in Nebraska. I’m going to need to pack a lunch…. And, I’m going to need a ride to the post office.

Wouldn’t it just be easier if you came in to the animal shelter to meet me? Ask for me, Clementine!

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

Lisa Holt, of San Juan Island Dog Training is working with a team of volunteers to train dogs to “sniff out” Parkinson’s Disease. They are the first to do this in the United States. It all began when news broke several years ago of a woman in Scotland, Joy Milne, who could “smell” Parkinson’s disease.

Nancy Jones, a former student of Lisa’s heard about that and took Lisa to lunch where they brainstormed the idea of dogs doing the same thing, and Parkinson’s Alert Dogs (PADs) was born.

Read the full story below for more. And be sure to click on the video above.

Continue Reading

Deadline Extended – Call for Artists: Design a License Plate for the San Juan Islands!

The Terrestrial Managers Group and the Madrona Institute are kicking off their San Juan Islands Specialty License Plate Design Initiative with a contest!

The initiative encourages the public to help create and select a specialty license plate that will generate funds for the conservation and stewardship of natural, agricultural, historic and cultural resources in the San Juan Islands

Original artwork will be accepted for license plate designs until June 17, 2017. Accepted designs will be exhibited throughout the summer on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island, giving Islanders plenty of opportunity to vote for their favorite! The winning design will be announced at the end of September and the winning artist will be awarded the 0001 plate for free!

(Editor’s note: This post has been corrected. A previous version listed the power generation incorrectly)

Community Solar Gives Everyone A Chance To Generate Clean, Green Local Power

OPALCO has more than 220 Co-op members who generate their own power. With Community Solar, the rest of us will get a chance to purchase a piece of a big solar generator – at a fraction of the cost to install our own panels – and get a small financial return on our energy investment as a credit on our power bills.

While the financial return isn’t big, the member rewards are significant. Benefits include the opportunity to participate in growing our own local power, building toward more energy independence in the islands and helping to take the first step in creating a Co-op energy storage system in case of emergency.

The first Community Solar project will be built in 2018 on Decatur Island at OPALCO’s substation. OPALCO wants to hear from members about what is most important to them on funding, member participation and communication. Members are encouraged to take an online survey: www.opalco.com/survey – and the deadline has been extended to June 23rd.

OPALCO will build and own the Community Solar array, which will generate enough power each year (about 200,000 kilowatt hours) to meet the equivalent needs of 5-6 average island homes for one month. It’s small compared to our whole Co-op’s demand for power, but a big first step in building local, community-owned power. A battery storage bank will be located next to the solar array to store surplus energy and could be used, in a limited capacity, to provide back-up power in case of emergency. Once this first project is up and running, OPALCO may build additional projects and will be looking at the best locations throughout the County. Learn more at http://energysavings.opalco.com/energy-savings/renewable-generation/community-solar/.

For the latest information about OPALCO, go to: www.opalco.com; sign up for our email newsletter (http://www.opalco.com/about/email-signup/); and follow us on Facebook (Orcas Power & Light Cooperative) and Twitter (@orcaspower). OPALCO is our member-owned cooperative, powering more than 11,200 members on 20 islands in San Juan County since 1937.