The new museum sign on the corner of Price and Spring Streets – Contributed photo

The Board of Trustees and staff of the San Juan Historical Society and Museum would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Town of Friday Harbor Council and Mayor Farhad Ghatan for the new Historical Museum directional sign at the corner of Spring and Price Streets.

Even though the museum has been located on Price Street since 1966, it can be a little difficult to find us the old-fashioned way. Thankfully, the handsome sign has made an immediate impact in helping to guide visitors our way.

Sincerely,

Board of Trustees
San Juan Historical Society and Museum

Kevin Loftus
Executive Director

The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor is a great place to visit in December!

Join us on Saturday, December 1st for the Island Lights Festival in Friday Harbor. To get everyone warmed up, come to The Whale Museum for our annual Holiday Open House Saturday from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

Fun for all ages! Enjoy holiday treats & goodies! Sing carols! Make holiday crafts! Attendees will receive a 10% off coupon for merchandise in the gift shop.

The Whale Museum’s exhibit hall and gift shop are open daily from 10 am until 4 pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Days). More details can be found on the Whale Museum’s Calendar.

The SJC Land Bank invites you to to meet your new Orcas Stewardship Staff and throw in a little habitat restoration to boot. Join us in the oak restoration units to help plant plugs grown in the Salish Seeds Project nursery.

We will depart promptly at 9:45 am from the South Trailhead parking area (Deer Harbor Road/Wild Rose Lane) to hike up the mountain. Tools will be provided. Dress for the weather and bring water/snacks.

• Date: December 1
• Time: 9:45 am to 1:00 pm

For more information contact Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or email tanjaw@sjclandbank.org.

Here’s a message from the State of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office…

OLYMPIA – Earlier this month, a woman reportedly released two large coolers of live tilapia into Sammamish Lake, a popular location for water sports and hiking. A concerned citizen saw the act and reported it to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Upon following up, four fish were found dead, assumedly due to the shock of the cold water.

“People often think they are doing a kindness to animals by releasing them into the wild, but, in many cases, those animals are not adapted for our climate and perish,” said Justin Bush, executive coordinator of the Invasive Species Council. “What seems like a humane action often leads to suffering in the end for the animal. In addition, wildlife that can survive may damage Washington’s natural resources and cost thousands of dollars in cleanup costs.”

More than $137 billion is spent each year to manage invasive species in the United States. The costs, both economic and environmental, escalate with every invasive species introduced into the country. Northern pike, for example, are an aggressive, predatory, non-native fish that were introduced illegally for sport fishing and now threaten native salmon and, by extension, orcas. Other introduced species ruin habitat and spread disease.

If you have an animal or plant you cannot take care of, don’t let it loose. Here are a few alternatives: Read More »

Ryan Palmateer receives his quick title from San Juan County Auditor employees Oren Combs and Kira Sable – Contributed photo

Ever needed that car or boat license in a hurry, only to be told it would take six to eight weeks to arrive? Now, San Juan County residents can walk away from the licensing counter with a clean, valid, same-day Washington State “Quick Title.” This new service is available at the San Juan County Auditor’s Office to qualifying vehicle and vessel owners.

New or used vehicles and vessels with appropriate title documents may be eligible for quick titling. Records with lienholders do not qualify. Quick titles fees include a $50 convenience fee, in addition to regular title fees.

The first “Quick Title” was issued at the Auditor’s Office on November 7. Ryan Palmateer of Friday Harbor needed a title in order to sell his 2009 Smart Passion. Ryan is the Energy Program Manager at the San Juan Islands Conservation District, and also serves as the president of the San Juan Islands Electric Vehicle Association.

“My goal is to divest myself of gas-powered cars,” Palmateer said of his decision to request a quick title. He is currently waiting for a 2019 Arcimoto, a three-wheeled electric bike with two seats and a 130-mile range, built in Eugene, Oregon. Palmateer and his colleagues at the Conservation District specialize in helping people reduce their carbon footprint and energy output. They offer resources to homeowners to improve home insulation and heating systems in order to minimize pollution and maximize energy savings.

A quick title enabled Palmateer to complete the sale of his vehicle much more quickly than if he had had to wait for a traditional title. To see if your vehicle or vessel title qualifies for quick titling, bring your paperwork in to the licensing office, or call (360) 378-2161. The Auditor’s Office is open for licensing transactions Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm. Credit and debit cards are accepted with a small surcharge.

Photo courtesy Terri Oda on Flickr

A new yoga class – Start your day with a joyful practice! Beginners welcome. The poses are easy to learn, and our easy-to-follow morning flows will expand your breath and uplift your spirit!

Katerina Wen – Contributed photo

This class is both uplifting and educational. When you take this class, you will receive priceless tips on how to take care of your health in the most natural, simple ways. Taught by yoga alliance teacher Katerina Wen, who brings the wealth of 20 years of professional teaching knowledge, and a gentle way to guide you into a brighter day!

Benefits:

• Strengthen and flexibility
• Tones and releases your spine, torso, legs, and shoulders
• Oxygenates the whole body, & rejuvenates the vital organs
• Healthy stimulation for your cardiovascular, metabolic, & respiratory systems
• Releases tension, tightness, or holding pattens causing physical restrictions or pain
• Calibrates the right and left hemispheres of the brain & fosters emotional balance
• Slows down the breath, relaxes the nerves, calms the mind
• Builds inner joy and self-confidence

Register by November 26^th for $38, $5 more thereafter.

• Beginning December 6
• Thursday 8:15 – 9:15am
• Location: Dance Workshop2

For more information or registration call 360-378-4953, visit www.islandrec.org, or stop by our office at 580 Guard Street, 11am-5pm, Monday through Friday  

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

My name is Frodo. It looks like I’ll be without my own dysfunctional family to dine with on Thanksgiving again this year.

For the record, I’m still single, I don’t have a job, I’ve been known to drink out of the toilet, and I fart at inappropriate times. If you don’t mind my saying so, I think I might fit right in with your family gathering this year.

Adopt me and let’s put the “Fun” back in dysfunctional! I’m here at the animal shelter, but I’d rather be home with you.

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
994 Cattle Point Road
(360) 378-2158

Here’s a letter from Kyle Wall and the Pacific Whale Watch Association…

Statement from the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA):

The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) is a committed partner focused on efforts to protect the health of the Southern Resident killer whale population. We appreciate the work of our fellow members on the Governor’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery and Task Force and support a majority of the bold actions recommended in the Task Force’s report.

As these recommendations move to the Governor’s office, PWWA urges implementation of recommendations that focus on the goal of addressing the critical issue of the lack of Chinook salmon in the waters of the Salish Sea. We encourage Governor Inslee to focus on science-based solutions supported by PWWA’s research community partners, including organizations such as the Center For Whale Research, Orca Conservancy and the Orca Behavior Institute, as he evaluates the recommendations of the Task Force

Specifically, PWWA looks forward to continuing conversations around vessel activity around each of the 74 Southern Resident killer whales. As studies have shown, vessel speed is a primary driver of sound, and we are proud that our boats already maintain a slow zone around the whales and model this behavior for others in the area. Read More »