Make sure you get to Griffin Bay Bookstore’s shindig—our big 40^th Anniversary party this Saturday, November 9, 10:00 am—6:00 pm. Join the crowd of well-wishers and shoppers who eagerly await our annual Open House and Sale.

The bookstore will be decorated to the hilt with bunting made from repurposed books to celebrate 40 years of bookselling in Friday Harbor. There will be a special 40^th anniversary cake from Bakery San Juan, free cider and coffee.

And, this year you’ll have a chance to win a $40 Gift Certificate. Buy just one item so you can fill out a raffle ticket for the drawing at the end of the day. Five lucky winners will be picked, each receiving a $40 Gift Certificate.

The annual sale is not to be missed—it’s the one time of the year when all books on the shelves are 20% off. Stock up with books for winter reading!

You’ll find the bookstore brimful of the latest in fiction and non-fiction. The annual Open House and Sale is Laura Norris’ way of thanking our island community for loyal support and ongoing patronage. Come in and shop to your heart’s content. Continue Reading

The Arcora Foundation – SmileMobile, a brightly painted 39 – foot dental clinic on wheels, is hard to miss when it rolls into Friday Harbor the week of November 12 – 15 at the Mullis Community Senior Center 589 Nash Street.

The SmileMobile is staffed by a dentist, clinic manager, dental assistant and local volunteer dentists. The staff will provide oral health education, dental examinations, sealants, fillings and simple extractions to babies up through high school age and pregnant/postpartum women with Apple Health and those who are uninsured.

Everyone deserves good oral and overall health. If you would like to make an appointment or have questions, please call NOW, call (888) 286-9105. Continue Reading

This notice is being published again with corrected information…

Join us in the sport that is sweeping the nation! Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It has simple rules that make is accessible to a wide range of age ranges and skill levels.

The sport was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island. Stay active during the winter months at the Fairgrounds on Wednesdays at 4:30-5:30 pm starting November 13^th. This program will run for 10 sessions with the option of buying a season pass for $61 or drop-in for a fee of $8 each session.

For more information or registration www.islandrec.org; call 360-378-4953 or drop by the office 580 Guard St. Monday – Friday 11am-5pm. Please note that the schedule for all drop-in programs is subject to change.

Please visit our program calendar at http://www.islandrec.org/calendar/ to get up to date information.

Islandairporter, San Juan islands Seatac shuttle has been sold. John Ness who began the service in 2003 has sold the business to retire.

The new owners, Tamara and Ray Weigeshoff will continue the shuttle service using the same schedule, phone number, and website.  Tamara will do the majority of the driving with Ray as backup. New operations will begin November  11, so call Tami and book your seat now. 

Feed the Island

Cynthia’s Bistro is offering free take-away meals to anyone who needs a meal or wishes to have a home cooked meal. No questions asked, just free food.

Stop by Cynthia’s this Thursday – November 7 – from 4:30 to 6:00 to pick up your meal.

You may pick up 2 meals per person. When we run out of food, we will close the doors until next time. We will be stationed on the front porch and handing out the meals at Cynthia’s Bistro – 65 Nichols Street in Friday Harbor.

Basic Home Cooking made with everything but the Kitchen Sink.

Come by and say hello. If you care to join us and donate time or money to the cause, feel free to contact Cynthia at Cynthia’s Bistro or email me at [email protected].

In the mailbag this morning we have this letter from Sandy Rabinowitz…

I think it’s really fishy that the three public hospital district commissioners whose terms end this year are trying to ram something through before they go.

The Citizens Advisory Committee recommended a prudent, thoughtful, two-year process for merging the EMS with the fire district, and these folks are trying to do it as their last act before leaving the board, with at least half of the necessary prerequisites still unfinished.

They know quite well that the newly-elected board members are all opposed to rushing this decision but instead support the recommendation of the Citizens Advisory Committee. And they are the ones who will have to live with and enforce the agreement.

The chair of the fire district has said his board will not vote for a rushed merger, and I thank him for that.

Many of us can see no reason why this merger has to be implemented in the next few weeks.

Sandy Rabinowitz

Zylstra Lake – Tim Dustrude photo

The Land Bank is seeking input as they develop a Stewardship and Management Plan for Zylstra Lake Preserve.

To start the process, there will be a public scoping meeting on Thursday, November 7th from 5:30pm-7:00pm at Brickworks. Land Bank staff will share the results of resource assessments, including ecological, habitat and agriculture, followed with the opportunity for public input and discussion.

“We value public comments in helping guide the long term care of our County’s conservation areas. This meeting is a great opportunity to learn more about the management plan process for Land Bank property, ask questions, and share your thoughts with Land Bank staff.”

Zylstra Lake Preserve Public Scoping Meeting
Thursday, November 7
5:30pm at Brickworks

If you have any questions contact Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or [email protected].

Time for the November history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum…

This month’s story was inspired by the smallest of items in the November 26, 1909 issue of the San Juan Islander newspaper. It was just 33 words.

“The largest turkey raised on the islands this season was on exhibition on Wednesday evening at G.A. Tulloch’s store. The turkey weighed 31 pounds dressed, and was raised on the Breedlove ranch.”

For 1909 standards, that was a really huge turkey. We sure wish we had a photograph of this particular turkey, but in searching for it we did find some interesting photos of island turkeys in the digital images collection of the San Juan Historical Society and Museum.

Here, in this undated photo, we present some Valley View Farm turkeys – too many to count – surrounding Roy Guard. Roy was born in Kansas in 1886, just a few years before he and his extended family relocated to San Juan Island.

Last month the large, multi-generational Guard family gathered at Brickworks to celebrate 130 years of being on the island. But going back to that big turkey of 1909, the small news article provided some names to research and so we did.

G.A. Tulloch’s store which displayed the gobbler was located in a couple of different locations on Spring Street over the years. Originally a general store, it evolved into featuring primarily groceries while owner Glen’s brother Ross had the other Tulloch store, better known for its hardware and housewares selection.

The prize turkey was raised on the Breedlove ranch, owned by Albert Breedlove. Archived issues of local newspapers provide a few interesting glimpses into his life on the island. Those familiar with rabbit history on the island may remember that it was Albert Breedlove who introduced several domestic rabbit breeds here in 1903. Later, in 1908, he was elected the first Master of the newly formed Friday Harbor Grange. In 1911, his young son Elmer was arrested by “Warden Guard” for hunting without a license. We don’t know what he was hunting, but that game warden was Roy Guard, pictured here with his turkeys.

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor is happy to announce that Chad and Natasha Warmenhoven are the volunteers for the month of November.

Chad and Natasha have been loyal volunteers and spend much of their time fostering and bottle-feeding kittens.

Thanks so much, Chad and Natasha, for making a difference in the lives of homeless animals. Your dedication and hard work is appreciated.

Friday Harbor’s Own Toy Box Joins The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (Astra) In Tenth Annual Celebration Of Small Businesses Nationwide

On November 9, 2019 Friday Harbor’s own Toy Box will be one of hundreds of retailers across the country celebrating Neighborhood Toy Store Day on November 9, 2019.

Spearheaded by the ASTRA, the annual observance asks shoppers to remember the neighborhood toy stores in their communities as they kick off the holiday shopping season. Scheduled ahead of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, the day offers shoppers discounts, special events and hands-on experiences with children’s toys.

“ASTRA initiated Neighborhood Toy Store Day a decade ago to celebrate community, showcase the value of shopping local, and celebrate the joy of play,” said Kimberly Mosley, president of ASTRA. “These retailers are how the toy industry began and where customers can create special memories with their families. In neighborhood toy stores, shoppers can find a high quality, carefully curated selection of the best toys and games along with an exceptional and personal customer shopping experience.” Continue Reading

Cotton Cotton Cotton is the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month and they’re also celebrating Celebrating 10 Years!

Randy and Gail Schnee of Cotton Cotton Cotton – Contributed photo

Randy and I moved to the island from Orlando, Florida in October 2009 and purchased Cotton Cotton Cotton in November of that year. We came here on vacation in 2005 and fell in love with the island and the friendly community. It was our hope that we could find a business that could sustain us and allow us to give up our jobs in Florida and enjoy all the wonderful things that Friday Harbor has to offer. It took us 4 years but we were able to sell our house in Florida which allowed us to purchase the business and start our new lives here.

During our 10 years owning Cotton Cotton Cotton we were originally located at 165 First Street (where the Chamber of Commerce is located now). We moved into our current space at 260 Spring Street at Sundries Court, formerly known as Jeri’s Mall in November 2015.

Cotton Cotton Cotton was originally named Dolphin Arts and was owned by local artist Vivien Burnett which she started around 30 years ago at a location at Cannery Landing by the ferry dock. It was originally a t-shirt shop featuring her prints and by the time she sold to Christine Mays in 2007, it evolved into more of a boutique selling jewelry, cotton clothing and shoes, and by that time, the store’s name was changed to Cotton Cotton Cotton. Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Fire and Rescue firefighters deployed as part of the regional strike team (left to right): Michael Henderson, Michael Hartzell, Kati English and Tad Lean – Contributed photo

UPDATE: Deployed San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Firefighters at Massive California Kincade Wildfire

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA — Four San Juan Island Fire and Rescue (SJIF&R) firefighters have been deployed as part of a western Washington regional strike team responding to the massive northern California Kincade wildfire disaster in Sonoma County.

The deployed regional strike team comprises of firefighters from San Juan, Snohomish, Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. They are part of 4,957 personnel from multiple states making significant progress as they battle the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County, California.

Latest Kincade Fire Status, via CalOES (California Office of Emergency Services):

• 77,758 acres burned
• 68% contained
• 165 homes destroyed
• 1,510 homes threatened, down from 80,000 earlier in the week

The strike team was dispatched through the national mutual aid system, managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). SJIF&R, and all other responding agencies, are fully reimbursed for the use of crews, equipment, fuel, travel and all related response costs.

Mutual aid is a critical component of emergency services preparation and disaster response. Communities provide resources they can spare and in turn, when faced by an extended disaster, they call on multiple resources from other communities.

The San Juan Island Fire & Rescue was established on October 6, 1958. The fire department covers about 55 square miles, includes all of San Juan Island, as well as Brown and Pearl Islands. For more information, please visit http://www.sjifire.org/

Here’s a letter from Liza Michaelson…

I love living here in San Juan County. Every day, even after 37 years,

I feel like I’ve won the lottery in life. We get to live in a sweet community, surrounded by glorious beauty. It’s almost a storybook reality.

 One thing I appreciate the most is all the land protected by private funds from the San Juan Preservation Trust, and public funds provided by the San Juan County Land Bank. These two well run organizations often work together to purchase larger pieces of property; like Turtleback Mountain on Orcas; and Zylstra Lake and Mt. Grant on San Juan Island.

I feel especially blessed to have Mt. Grant and its miles of walking trails very close to my house. I go there many times each week to walk a loop and enjoy the forest and the great views. I rarely see people, and I have never seen any litter. There is a nice map at the gate, and attractive Land Bank signage on the trails. I smile at the top when I pause to read the hundreds of names of people who contributed to the effort. I smile again at the new “Watch for Newts” sign on the road. I smile right now as I gaze over at Mt. Grant from my desk, knowing it will always be a place I can take refuge. Continue Reading

Saturday, November 23rd, 12pm-3pm

Join Island Haven Animal Sanctuary for our 4th Annual Thanks”Living” celebration, featuring our feathered friends. 

Enjoy guided tours of the sanctuary, plant-based snacks and drinks, pick up menu suggestions and recipes for a compassionate Thanksgiving meal, and get your 2020 Island Haven calendar, hot off the presses! 

If you would like to bring treats for the animals – the turkeys, other poultry, goats and pigs love romaine lettuce, spinach and grapes; and the horses, llamas and alpacas love carrots and apples.

Donations are encouraged, all proceeds go towards the feeding and care of sanctuary animals.  

To RSVP email [email protected] or call 360-472-1040 to receive the address and directions.

Monday, November 4th, is Monday Movie Night at the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center (185 S. First Street).

We will be showing The Breach (a film by Mark Titus).

Doors open at 6:30 and the film begins at 7:00. Free admission and snacks provided.

In the San Juan Update mailbag this evening there’s this letter from Jon Howe…

Can we agree on anything?  – Take Two

Are these times that we live in really so divisive?  But, by definition, doesn’t the “we/they ethic” provoke divisiveness?  What would the antidote be?  The “golden rule?”  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  

We versus they.  Private versus public.  Liberals versus conservatives… rich versus poor… Romans versus Goths…etc.  Amaro versus Land Bank.  Can we not do better than this? 

For the past two years, I have enjoyed the Land Bank’s Mount Grant trails two to three times a week.  And I appreciate the easement whereby I access the Mount Grant property.  Thank you Amaros!  Continue Reading