The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister

 San Juan Island fans of Northwest author Erica Bauermeister take note: She’s returning to the island on Wednesday, August 28, 7:00 pm at the Library to present her latest novel, The Scent Keeper. Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Library are thrilled to host Erica again and give her readers a chance to hear first-hand about this delightful novel. Don’t miss it!

Erica Bauermeister, the national bestselling author of The School of Essential Ingredients, presents a moving and evocative coming-of-age novel about childhood stories, families lost and found, and how a fragrance conjures memories capable of shaping the course of our lives.

Emmeline lives an enchanted childhood on a remote island with her father, who teaches her about the natural world through her senses. What he won’t explain are the mysterious scents stored in the drawers that line the walls of their cabin, or the origin of the machine that creates them. As Emmeline grows, however, so too does her curiosity, until one day the unforeseen happens, and Emmeline is vaulted out into the real world–a place of love, betrayal, ambition, and revenge. To understand her past, Emmeline must unlock the clues to her identity, a quest that challenges the limits of her heart and imagination. Read More »

Credence Ross, Mike Murphy, Peter Kilpatrick and Orion Powell – Contributed photo

Peter Kilpatrick has sold Ravenhill Construction, Inc. to longtime employees Credence Ross, Mike Murphy and Orion Powell. Peter will continue in a management role as a consultant for two years. This will allow the new partners to focus on supervision and completion of their individual construction projects and ensure a smooth transition.

Ravenhill has been building custom homes in San Juan County since 1980 and is recognized as one of the leading builders of unique homes in the Pacific Northwest. We will continue our tradition of quality, creativity and comprehensive management which has resulted in a body of work that has been frequently awarded and showcased in both regional and national publications as well as architectural competitions. Read More »

The Fall edition of America’s Boating Course will be starting September 11th and running for four Wednesday evenings at Skagit Valley College from 6:30-9:30 pm.

This is a good way to get the Washington State Boaters Education Card and we include On-the-Water-Training as part of the course.

A comprehensive boating information manual is also included that couples can share. Cost for materials is $45.00. Instruction is free by America’s Boating Club of the San Juan Islands.

Learn about boat handling, navigation aids, anchoring, emergencies, required equipment, how to read a chart, and much more.

Also, be eligible for marine insurance discounts.

To register, call 378-3288 or email ein@rockisland.com

More information at www.fridayharborpowersquadron.com and www.nwboatertraining.com

Local Music, Locally Sourced Food, Local Garden Setting

Join us Friday and Saturday evenings from 4:00 to 7:00 for an evening of local music and local food thoughtfully prepared. Our Garden Patio is open and it is a wonderful setting for listening to local music and enjoying your evening.

Reservations Recommended – 360-317-7178 or cynthiasofcourse@gmail.com

Upcoming Music –

• August 30th –
  Kate Schuman-guitar & vocals
  Scott Spadafora-pedal steel
  Doug Demeerter -bass
  Jonathon Piff -guitar
• August 31st –
  Steve Anderson, Ian Boulton & Friends

Sounds like a great night of Music…”Live Music is Best!”

This September marks Archipelago Collective’s fifth anniversary performing exhilarating and world-class classical music on San Juan Island. Our 2019 festival week will present five concerts in a celebration of chamber music both old and very new.

Our musicians are unparalleled virtuosi who come from across the country, and this year you’ll be able to hear them all over Friday Harbor. From the museum, to the library, to the local schools, and to our home base at the Brickworks, they will perform programs that are exciting, challenging, and, deeply moving. As always, our concert venues are small and intimate, bringing the performers and audience together for a truly collaborative experience.

To mark our fifth anniversary, we have curated programs displaying the diverse voices in classical music. Alongside perennial favorites like Schubert, Debussy, and Dvorak you will hear fresh sounds from Schafer, and Magrill, and Andrès, including world premiers from Megan Bledsoe Ward and Miguel del Aguila.

In addition to three concerts at the centrally located Brickworks, we will present two free concerts, open to all. On September 6, our powerhouse piano couple presents a concert in partnership with SJIMA’s exhibit “Deep Dive”. The marine life of the Salish Sea will be woven into the program of four-hands piano works in an exploration of local art and environment. On the 7th, Directors Sophie Baird-Daniel and Dana Jackson will perform as BARP! The region’s premier (and only) bassoon and harp duo. This will be a fun and family friendly program at the Friday Harbor Library. Read More »

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Merri Ann Simonson checks in with another article covering real estate news…

Excise Tax Increase, Decrease and Shift

There will be a major change in real estate excise tax taking effect January 1, 2020 for the State of Washington.  I have provided a link below to the Senate Bill which created this change to a graduated tax rate.  

The Excise Tax adjustment will affect what the seller pays.  In January 2019 the tax went up for the buyers in our County with the addition of the Affordable Housing Tax (Buyer pays 99% of the .5% tax).  

Continue Reading… (PDF)

Open Doors Program to start at Griffin Bay School this fall

San Juan Island School District announces the opening of the “Open Doors Program”. This student re-engagement program will begin on Tuesday September 9, 2019.

The “Open Doors Program” is a student re-engagement system that provides education and services to older youth, ages 16-21, who have dropped out of school or are not expected to graduate from high school by the age of 21. 

Open Doors re-engages disconnected youth through programs that:

• Encourage community partnerships
• Create multiple pathways for students to realize success
• Provide an on-ramp to post-secondary achievement through a performance based, individualized support model

Our Open Doors students will be able to work on completing their high school diploma or work toward a GED.

Prospective students should contact Griffin Bay School Office Manager, Connie Domenech at (360) 378-3292.

Time to put away your Fair ribbons and head to San Juan Vineyard, THIS Saturday, August 24 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, for the 13th annual Concours d’Élégance.

This year, the Concours will include the raffle of a Tesla (child’s size) electric vehicle and silent auction of car memorabilia.

Lunch will be served under the pavilion with musical entertainment by the Argyle Street Jazz Band.

Beneficiaries:  Family Resource Center, Family Umbrella Group, Hospice of San Juan, and PolioPlus of Rotary International.

For car registration and further information, please visit sanjuanconcours.org