Stream at Coho Preserve – Contributed photo

San Juan County’s sole remaining wild salmon run may have been doomed to extinction until a last-minute agreement to increase water flow gave the fish a chance.

A small population of coho salmon spawn in lower Cascade Creek near the Orcas Island hamlet of Olga. In 2016, the San Juan County Land Bank purchased a corridor along the stream—now called Coho Preserve—to protect the habitat for its native salmon and coastal cutthroat trout. Several years of low stream flows, however, have prevented the salmon from reproducing successfully. With coho on a three-year life cycle, 2019 could be the last opportunity for this population to reproduce.

Cascade Creek originates at Mountain Lake in Moran State Park and flows to Buck Bay and has been called “one of the most natural stream systems to be found anywhere in Washington,” but multiple entities own water rights that affect the flow available to fish. Continue Reading

Mike Vouri – Hadrian’s Wall

In July 2019 San Juan Islanders Mike Vouri and Jerry McElyea hiked the 84-mile path that traces the line of Hadrian’s wall, a massive fortification erected by the Roman Emperor Hadrian beginning in 122 AD.

Vouri will discuss not only the purpose of the wall and the means and methods used during the six-year construction, but also how the path is organized and maintained by British National Trails. 

Monday, December 2 at 7 pm at the San Juan Island Library – free.   

Co-sponsored by the San Juan Island Trails Committee. Refreshments are courtesy of the San Juan Island Trails Committee and the Friends of the Library.  

Taming Invasive Blackberry at Westside Preserve

Work off some holiday calories with the Land Bank! Grab out of town guests, some gloves and water, and join Outreach Coordinator, Tanja Williamson, to clear invasive Himalayan blackberry along the trails of Westside Preserve.

Friday, November 29th from 10 am to Noon at Westside Preserve, San Juan Island

Meet at 10am the Preserve’s middle pullout and work until noon, cutting back as many blackberry bushes as possible.

PARK and RIDE FROM FRIDAY HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT – San Juan Transit is donating shuttle service between town and the Preserve. Pick up is at 9:45am in the parking lot. Plenty of room for out of town guests to join!

RSVP not required, but appreciated! Contact Tanja at 360-378-4402 or [email protected] for more information.

As we join around the table to give thanks, it is important to reflect on those in our community in need. Nourish to Flourish, a group of concerned community leaders meets monthly to address hunger and food insecurity on San Juan Island.

A recent report found 40% of our residents struggle to make ends meet and 68% of low-resource residents skip meals and lack healthy foods. A recent survey found fruits and vegetables are 40% higher on island than the mainland.  

Thanks to Rotary Club support, “36 Weekends” sends home nutritious food for kids who would otherwise go hungry over the weekend. Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Island Lights Festival on November 30th. This kickoff event for the Friday Harbor Winterfest is on a Saturday this year so more families are able to attend. Once again the Chamber is partnering with Island Rec and the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild.

It will be a fun filled evening when all start gathering at 5:00pm on Spring Street between First and Front Streets to await the arrival of Santa. We will have caroling while sipping some hot chocolate and coffee while waiting for Santa to arrive to light the tree. Continue Reading

Start a new fitness class, taught by SJI Fitness instructors, that focuses on positively effective muscle toning and strength building.

This motivating class is a full body workout that uses 2.5, 5, and 10-pound plates set to music. The movements are proven to burn calories and tone your bone building muscle with maximizing repetition and pulsing cardio.

All Skill Levels welcome. Ages 18 and Up. Register by January 3, $115.00. Class will be held Mondays and Wednesdays January 6 – February 12, 2020.

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

Thanks to Anthony DiMichele for this photo from English Camp…

Ancient Tree at English Camp – Anthony DiMichele photo

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

There’s no getting around it – the holidays are on our doorstep. I’ve only a few days until a motley crew of fourteen arrives for wild rice stuffed “Tofurky”, mashed cauliflower, and a plethora of other gems from PUP-KIN PIES to CHERPUMPLE; a triple layer ditty offering BOTH chocolate and white cake stuffed with a pumpkin, apple and berry pie beneath a layer of buttercream frosting garnished with fresh strawberries, blueberries and kiwi! Tony Montana’s “The World is yours!” does come to mind.

I don’t know if you’re like me, but the holidays are stressful and turn me into a fruitcake with an ever-growing to-do list. When this starts to happen, I pull out my KEEP THE HOLIDAYS SANE recipe. 1) SIMPLIFY- I ask myself: “Will I die tomorrow if this thing does not get done?” 2) STAY FLEXIBLE- Change happens, be adaptable to last-minute…everything. 3) BE GENTLE WITH MYSELF – I speak to myself in the same way I do my friends – with love and kindness. 4) WALK IN THE RAIN – While I can’t wish the holiday storms away, I can go out to walk or even dance in the rain. And finally, 5) BELIEVE IN MIRACLES – they happen every day; I’ve witnessed enough at APS-FH to know they usually arrive when least expected, so I keep an eye out for them.

If you’d like to make a PUP-KIN PIE with me, or share some of your holiday survival recipes, I’m at APS-FH waiting for you. Who knows, I might even help you cross a gift off your list. See you soon, and we’ll tackle the holiday angst together! – Chantilly, APS-FH POW

Island studios will be featuring glass artist Darleen Nixon…

Darleen Nixon – Contributed photo

Join Island Studios on Friday, November 29 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at 270 Spring Street in Friday Harbor for a holiday trunk show featuring beautiful glass jewelry and fun, functional glass pieces for your home created by Darleen Nixon of Nixon Art Glass. Find the perfect gifts for family and friends, as well as unique and affordable glass art. Perfect for hostess gifts and stocking stuffers for everyone on your list!

Shop Island Studios and enjoy art from over 250 local artists. Kick off the holiday season with refreshments and enter to win a $25.00 gift certificate to Island Studios.

Darleen will be demonstrating the art of creating her unique designs in molten glass.

Are you looking for somewhere for your kids to be during their winter break from school? Our Winter Break Camp will provide structured, themed activities for your Kindergarteners-5^th Graders in two day sessions at Friday Harbor Elementary School.

We will operate camp in the following two-day sessions with the following themes December 26^th & 27^th (Survive the Wild), December 20^th& 31^st (Globe Trotters), and January 2^nd & 3^rd (Marine Mysteries & Marsh Magic).  We are based in the Friday Harbor Elementary School cafeteria from 9:00 AM-5:30 PM but we will be venturing out on field trips to help supplement our themes!

Register before our early registration deadline of December 12^th  to receive our lower price of $70. Sign up for one session or all of them! For more information on how to sign up call 360-378-4953, visit www.islandrec.org, or stop by our office at 580 Guard Street, 11am-5pm, Monday through Friday.     

Save the date and grab a Christmas Food Box! Saturday, December 14th, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church deacons will be providing food boxes again for the holiday season. Christmas boxes include an assortment of fresh fruit, dry goods, canned goods and either a ham or packet of tofu for vegetarian boxes.

Please contact Laura Concord, the office manager at 360/378-4544 to sign up.

Clara and the Nutcracker – Contributed photo

Salish Sea Youth Ballet is proud to present the 2019 Friday Harbor Nutcracker! On December 7 & 8, San Juan Island dancers will perform excerpts from the classic Nutcracker ballet in an intimate tea party setting at Brickworks. This interactive, family friendly event immerses audiences into the magical story and is sure to become a family tradition. Our 2019 production features new, original ballet choreography that celebrates San Juan Island and its local culture while remaining true to The Nutcracker’s classical ballet roots.

The 45 minute youth ballet performance will be followed by holiday tea and sweets, a pop up Nutcracker gift boutique, and opportunities to meet the Nutcracker characters in costume. Performances take place at Brickworks (150 Nichols St, Friday Harbor) on Saturday, December 7th at 7:00pm and Sunday, December 8th at 2:00pm. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for children 10 & under, including tea and sweets. Reserve your seats today at Salish Sea Ballet Nutcracker or call (360) 298-1720. Special thanks to our principal sponsor, Islanders Bank, and our tea party sponsor, Tea Salish Sea!

ONLINE SURVEY ENGLISH
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAJUSAJU2019EN

ONLINE SURVEY SPANISH
https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/SAJUSAJU2019SP

Thanks to James Mead Maya for this great shot of a hooded merganser.
Click on image to enlarge…

Hooded Merganser – James Mead Maya photo

Cynthia’s Bistro, now open for dinner, invites you to their brand new Afterglow Evenings. Enjoy dinner while listening to live music preformed by local musicians on Friday and Saturday nights from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. 

Order a great meal, nicely priced wine or beer and enjoy your neighbors in a cozy setting. Music starts around 5:00 –

Join us this coming weekend for the following music…

November 22 – Blake Budwill – Acoustic guitar to please all.

November 23 – Rob Simpson – A flash from the past – Rob has put together an entertaining show based on familiar covers and some originals.

Please call to make a reservation 360-298-8130. Located at 65 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor.