Ramona Flierl, Luke Fincher, Mark Gardner and Inga-Clarissa Harold – Jenni Merritt photo

We are excited to share our Rock Solid Youth Team of the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition (SJIPC) and our school photographer; Mark Gardner printed valuable resources on the back of all Middle and High student ids. We are serving our Friday Harbor Middle School (FHMS) and Friday Harbor High School (FHHS) students, nearly 475! An idea in the making for a few years finally becomes a reality with the collaboration of community members. 

Rock Solid wanted to put essential resources in the palm of their peers, and the idea to print these resources on the back of every FHMS and FHHS school student ID was born! With the permission of their Principal, Rock Solid started to explore ways to make this happen. Thankfully, one of our SJIPC Board members, Court Bell, a former Principal himself, was supportive of the idea and offered to help fund such a venture. Mark Gardner found a photo lab that was able to print both sides of the student ids instead of just the usual one side. This ability eliminated the need to buy an expensive printer for the project and thankfully reduced the cost, as well.

Back of Student ID With Resource List – Contributed photo

Mark Gardner also stepped up to absorb the costs of these extra printing fees, as he, too, sees the benefit of our youth having these resources for Suicide Prevention and Escape the Vape hotlines and chat-lines readily available for our students. Rock Solid acknowledges Court Bell because he was the first one willing to financially support this idea when Rock Solid shared it at a Board of Trustees meeting last summer, and it got the wheels in motion.

Rock Solid has learned, it only takes one person to believe in your idea to help build momentum. We are also grateful to our school photographer, Mark Gardner, for his time, dedication to this project, and financial support to help us achieve this goal. We couldn’t have done this without Mark’s full support! So, when you see Mark, smile and say thank you. Mark has been our school district’s photographer for many years and has a photo studio in Anancortes. photographybymarkgardner.com

Books by Authors of the San Juan Islands – Contributed photo

Authors of the San Juan Islands, a community of local published writers, will staff a booth at the Island Artisans Holiday Marketplace this year. AOSJI, a non­‐profit organization, was formed in 2018 to help promote local authors and educate new writers in pursuit of better craft and business practices. 

On the first Saturday of each month, during the summer months of 2019, members of AOSJI successfully maintained a booth at the Brickworks.“We are pleased how much of an impact the authors’ group has made this year and by the community’s reception and positive responses,” noted Sharon Hooper, author of From Dreams to Action.

The 41st Annual Island Artisans Holiday Marketplace will open at the Friday Harbor Elementary School on Friday, November 29 and run through Saturday, November 30, 10am – 5pm. Contributing authors are: RA Cook, author and illustrator of Calvin Splinter & His Splendid Splinter Ideas; Janet Dann, author of Debts & Vengeance, Long Dan Home and Measuring Up; Cere Demuth, author of The Way We Stay; Elizabeth Forlenza, author ofTravels With My Samba-­‐Mad Husband; Libbie Hawker, author of Mercer Girls, The Ragged Edge of Night and One for the Blackbird; Sharon Hooper, author of From Dreams to Action and the Mary Magdalene Cards; G. Elizabeth Kretchmer, author of Bear Medicine, Damnable Legacyand Women on the Brink; Theresa Mathews author of Fishing with Hyenas; Kim Miller, author and photographer of Norton Buffalo, Band Brother.

For  more  information  about  the  Authors of the San Juan Islands go to:
www.authorsofthesanjuanislands.com 

Rock Solid wins top award…

Carly Saxe, Luke Fincher, Ramona Flierl and Inga-Clarissa Harold are Rock Solid – Contributed photo

The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition is proud to announce our youth prevention team, Rock Solid, was awarded top honor at this year’s WA. State Prevention Summit in Yakima! Rock Solid has successfully returned each year since 2011 to complete a meaningful prevention project in our community after attending the training sessions offered at the WA. State Prevention Summit. This award recognized their efforts, and they share it with our community for their ongoing support. We can’t do this work alone; collaboration is key!

Rock Solid has been sustainable because they mentor the younger students in our community, so they can build off the prevention efforts of graduating teens in our schools. Rock Solid implemented a suicide prevention awareness campaign in our Friday Harbor Middle and High Schools (FHMS/FHHS) for the past two Decembers. Continue Reading

Topper, PADS Sniffer Dog – Contributed Photo

Great news from PADS…

PADs for Parkinson’s of San Juan Island would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the exciting opportunity to receive up to $25,000 in matching funds.

This generous match fund has been presented by an anonymous benefactor and will apply to any donation received this giving season. Your support is needed to help the PADs Program to achieve the full amount of the match.    

PADs for Parkinson’s is the first program in North America to train dogs to detect an odor associated with Parkinson’s Disease, and the only such program providing non restricted canine assessment results and research to the Parkinson’s community.

Parkinson’s Disease cannot be detected at the early stage of the disease when therapeutic intervention would provide the best opportunity to slow, or even halt, disease progression. More than 10 million Americans are estimated to have unrealized Parkinson’s Disease at this time, making Parkinson’s the fastest growing neurological disease in America.

With your gift to PADs, this valuable ground-breaking program will go forward with twice the impact. Gifts to PADs can be made by mail at PO Box 2703, Friday Harbor, WA 98250; online at www.padsforparkinsons.org or as a pass-through gift handled by the San Juan Island Community Foundation. PADs for Parkinson’s is a recognized 501(c)(3). Thank you for your support. Continue Reading

Knowledge workers can meet with San Juan County business owners at the EDC’s Cross-Industry Symposium. The symposium is designed to connect entrepreneurs with people from other industries who have skills and ideas that could help their businesses grow.

The event is on November 20^th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the San Juan Island Library, 1010 Guard Street, Friday Harbor. The event is free of charge.

Cross-industry interaction can make existing businesses more vibrant and spark new ventures. This event, part of the EDC’s Knowledge Worker Network Initiative, will provide an opportunity for people who work primarily with information – be it in the form of computer code, data, words, images, or another form – to meet people in other types of industries, such as manufacturing, transportation, and tourism. Continue Reading

Site of the now demolished old visitor center – Louise Dustrude photo

By Louise Dustrude –

Construction of the new American Camp Visitor Center is under way and it is expected to continue through August 2020. In addition to the new building there will be improvements to the parking area, a new access road from farther east along Cattle Point Road, and some ADA pathways in the area.

This construction work will require the temporary closure of a segment of the Friday Harbor to American Camp Trail south of Cattle Point Road as it goes through the park.

There are other ways to access trails within the park, such as from Redoubt Road, and there are plans to improve the parking near the Redoubt.

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

While doing research for my latest vlog episode, “How to Escape from Anywhere, Fast,” I tumbled down the YouTube rabbit hole landing at “Ahhhhhh for 10 Hours”. It’s a 10-hour long YouTube video of a cowboy belting “Ahhhhh!!!”. Can you believe it has 1,332,216 views?! WT-HECK? I’m fairly sure that “Ahhhhhh for 10 hours” was not what scientists had in mind when they sent that first “hello” via the internet on October 29, 1969.

I have to admit, I then spent an unreasonable amount of time watching a fellow feline’s treadmill weight loss regime to the sound of “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees. But that’s YouTube for you.

In close, Ahhhhhrrr they FOR REAL? If you can explain how this video has received so many views, please stop by the shelter, I’d love your insight. – Mati, APS-FH Pet of the Week

SCORE, the SJICF and the EDC invite business owners and nonprofit leaders to a workshop on reducing risk

Over 40% of small business owners in the U.S. report having been involved in or threatened with a civil lawsuit, and many business owners are at risk for losing their personal assets, simply as a result of the way they established their business entity. Additionally, many nonprofit leaders in the U.S. are unclear about the requirements of operating a nonprofit entity.

Join SCORE, the San Juan Island Community Foundation (SJICF), attorney Mary Schmitt, and the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) for a FREE seminar on reducing risk with the right business entity on Thursday, November 21^st from 10-11:30 a.m. at Heritage Bank, Friday Harbor.

In the sole proprietorship model of business entity, business owners’ personal assets – life savings, house, car – could be confiscated to pay a legal settlement. Entities such as corporations and limited liability companies can offer more protection to business owners, and the creation of such entities can be relatively simple. Continue Reading

Mark your calendars! The Winter Flea & Craft Market will be at the Fairgrounds Main Building on Saturday, December 7th from 9 am-1 pm.

Flea & Craft Market vendors can sign up for a booth space by calling (360) 378-4310, by emailing info@sjcfair.org or by applying online at www.sjcfair.org.

Each vendor booth space is 10’ x 10’ and includes a table and two chairs for $27.00. An additional table can be rented for $6.00, while available.

Don’t have anything to sell? Be sure to stop by the Fairgrounds on Saturday, December 7th from 9 am-1 pm and shop for unique locally made crafts, vintage items, housewares, decorations, clothing, handmade jewelry and other flea market treasures.

Questions? Call 360-378-4310 or email info@sjcfair.org.

The Rock Solid Youth Prevention Team needs your help in the Red Ribbon Contest for their school.

They are competing to win $1000 for Friday Harbor High School, so they can continue to build on their prevention efforts and support a healthier school community for their peers.

Rock Solid cleverly spelled out, “Escape the Vape, Be Nicotine & THC-Free”, using chemical symbols from the periodic table of elements. The theme is Send a Message. Stay Drug-Free. Periodically, you just have to send a message!

These chemistry students and prevention advocates hope this clever use of theme will help them appeal to the judges, but they also need your vote. You may vote daily until Nov. 16th, 2019. Thank you for supporting these young leaders in prevention.

VOTING LINK: http://wshe.es/JTvyYLHE

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will host “Sharing Paradise: The Balance of Tourism and Preservation in the San Juans” from noon-2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 18 in the San Juan Island Library’s meeting room.

Barbara Marrett and Joe Symons will present two sides of the island’s tourism. Marrett is the communication and stewardship manager for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau and Symons is a long-time Orcas Island resident, active protector of the environment and author on the impact of tourists on several coastal communities.

Each will have approximately 30 minutes to present and then both will take questions from the audience. This should be a wonderful view of how tourism benefits and impacts the islands.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/LWVSanJuans.

As has been widely reported, Kaiser Permanente is leaving San Juan County in 2020. Those who have medical insurance through Kaiser (whether an individual plan or Medicare Advantage) will need to enroll in a new insurance plan. We are fortunate that Primera LifeWise will be in our county in 2020.

Those who need to purchase an individual plan (under 65, not disabled, and do not have a plan through your employer) can rely on the Washington medical insurance enrollment tool, ‘Healthplanfinder’ at www.wahealthplanfinder.org. This tool will give you the options available to you. You will need to enroll between Nov 1 – Dec 15 to receive coverage next year. 

The plan finder will use your income to determine a sliding scale for cost. You may also qualify for Washington Apple Health / Medicaid. If you have questions you can contact Washington Healthplanfinder Customer Support at 1-855-923-4633. Continue Reading

International ferry M/V Chelan and Mt. Baker – Tim Dustrude photo

The only two vessels in the WSF fleet certified to sail in international waters, Elwha and Chelan, will be out of service for required maintenance starting Tuesday, November 12.

This leaves no option but to suspend service to Sidney, British Columbia through December 8. During this period, WSF will maintain four-boat service on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route as the Sealth is brought in to serve as the #3 vessel and Samish becomes the #1 vessel to replace Chelan.

Due to the cancellation of international service, WSF will add the following domestic sailings:

• 9:55 a.m. Friday Harbor to Lopez Island and Anacortes
• 10:40 a.m. Lopez Island to Anacortes
• 11:55 a.m. Anacortes to Lopez Island and Friday Harbor
• 12:45 p.m. Lopez Island to Friday Harbor

Alchemy Art Center will host a reception for Vivien Tapsoba, who will be exhibiting his paintings in the Dome space at Alchemy Art Center on Friday, November 22nd from 5pm-8pm. 

Tapsoba is originally from Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, but currently resides in the United States. He is a self-trained artist who has been a guest of residencies and workshops in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Italy, and France. 

His work reflects the influence of American artist Jean Michel Basquiat, reclaiming the same line of contemporary artists and genres.  Through the harmony of colors, and the erasure and reconstruction of figures, characters, animals, and symbols on his canvases, Vivien weaves magical and powerful visual stories. Continue Reading

San Juan County residents of all ages are reminded to submit their entries in the Town’s Poetry Garden poetry contest by the end of this month.

Winning entries will be engraved on plaques located in four poetry gardens to be installed in public areas this spring.  Details for entry may be found on the Town website: www.fridayharbor.org or contact the Friday Harbor Arts Commission at julie@fridayharbor.org.

Contest entries should be addressed to:

Poetry Garden Contest
c/o Friday Harbor Arts Commission
PO Box 219
Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Entries may also be delivered to Town Hall, 60 Second Street, Friday Harbor, WA, no later than noon Monday, December 2, 2019 (office closed November 28 and 29).