Posted October 22, 2019 at 7:36 am by Tim Dustrude
Coming up this Friday, Oct. 25, is an informative talk by local historian architect, Boyd Pratt.
The topic is the island’s past, “What Was Here Before You Were?” This talk will cover early to later use of island land and locations of past endeavors.
It will be quite interesting for old timers and newcomers alike. Friday, October 25th, 7:00 PM at the Library.
Posted October 22, 2019 at 7:35 am by Tim Dustrude
When the ghouls come out this year, we’ll be ready for them! Put on a costume, grab your friends, and head over to Paradise Lanes for Island Rec’s annual Teen Halloween Party,
There will be free bowling, pizza, Halloween candy, and DJ Doug will be dropping the beats. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes, including scariest, funniest, and judge’s choice.
The party will run from 7:30-9:30pm on Thursday, October 31st and is for grades 6-12. Masks and toy weapons are not allowed, and backpacks must be checked at the door. Come dressed in your Halloween best, and get ready for a frightfully fun night!
For more information call 378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org. Our office is located at 580 Guard Street and we are open 11am to 5pm on weekdays.
Posted October 22, 2019 at 7:35 am by Tim Dustrude
Many San Juan Island residents know that Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor (SIFRI) provides free ferry tickets to patients and their caregivers who have to travel off-island for cancer treatment.
Recently this long-running program has gotten a dedicated phone number and e-mail address that will remain constant and will not change when a new coordinator takes over the program. Flyers about the programs at medical facilities are being updated and the correct information is always available on the SIFRI website: www.sifri.org.
The best way to reach the coordinator is by e-mail at: [email protected]. You can also call or text a message at cell phone: 360 317 3854.
In addition, San Juan Airlines donated 10 round-trip tickets to and from Bellingham to the Cancer Treatment Transportation Program. Those receiving treatment in Bellingham can inquire about these through those contact points.
Posted October 21, 2019 at 5:49 am by Tim Dustrude
Jim Burgess talks about the creation of his orca sculptures
Some new sculpture was installed at San Juan Island Sculpture Park on Saturday, October 12. It is three pieces depicting members of the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Left to right in the photo above are Nyssa (L-84, died 2019), Ruffles (J-1, died 2010) and Scoter (K-25, died 2019) all carved from western red cedar by local artist Jim Burgess.
Jim and his family have had a love for the SRKW’s dating back to 1999 when they visited the island and among other things, went fishing. Kristen, Jim’s wife tells the tale of how out on the water, their daughter Kara, then 4 yrs old, was slapping the water with her hand. When asked what she was doing, Kara replied “I’m calling the whales to come visit us”. Kristen and Jim laughed and explained that it doesn’t work like that, but Kara kept on slapping the water.
And then about 5 minutes later, Splash showed up with then newborn and as yet unnamed “Luna”. Both Splash and Luna circled the boat about 3 times before finally saying goodbye.
Kara said “See I told you” and from then on the family had a strong connection to the whales. Continue Reading
Posted October 21, 2019 at 5:47 am by Tim Dustrude
It’s that time of year! The San Juan Public Schools Foundation will hold its annual Phone-A-Thon on Monday, October 21st, and Tuesday, October 22nd, from 5 to 8 p.m. During this time, volunteer students, parents, faculty and members of the community will be calling to ask for your support.
The Foundation is a group of volunteer parents, educators, business leaders, and community sponsors who raise money to make a difference in the classrooms of our school children. They work year-round on projects that put 100% of the proceeds from the Phone-A-Thon, the Knowledge Bowl, the Business Partnership Program and other activities back into the classrooms at the public elementary, middle and high schools.
We hope that the community will respond generously again for our kids. Quality education is everybody’s business. So far this year we’ve funded important items like math games for 2nd graders, historical fiction books for 4th graders, Scholastic magazines for kindergarteners and 1st graders, AP biology and physics kits, high school art supplies, and a vehicle weatherproofing kit for the STEM program – we need our community’s support to keep this momentum going for our young people.
Make sure you answer your phone on October 21 or 22 and look for the gold San Juan Public Schools Foundation donation envelope to show up in your mailbox soon. You can also mail gifts at any time to
San Juan Public Schools Foundation
P.O. Box 1452
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Posted October 21, 2019 at 5:46 am by Tim Dustrude
The Friday Harbor Food Bank recently completed a modest expansion, resolving longstanding storage constraints. The building was extended nine feet to the east, adding 216 square feet. Two new, larger freezers and two fridges replace some older units, and two new food racks provide needed storage.
The Food Bank thanks generous community supporters of this project, including the Lions Club and Kiwanis Club of Friday Harbor. This project is supported by a grant from the Honeywell Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region. Special thanks also to Charles and Kate Foster’s H.O. Peet Foundation for their generous assistance.
Schmidt Construction oversaw the project, and also contracted the work of Richard Foster, Guard Electric, and Nate Howard, all of whom generously assisted with the job and helped to reduce costs.
The Food Bank, 500 Market Street, is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11:30 AM to 2 PM. We welcome volunteers.
Posted October 21, 2019 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
“Lady” is this week’s Pet of the Week
“Gonna Be Rainey” Norris P. posted on Facebook. How right he was. This morning while brushing my teeth, I was faced with the annual challenge of transitioning from carefree flip flop summer into buttoned-up fall once again.
The equipoise of PNW style aspirations with chilly weather can be a real challenge, but I think I’ve got it dialed in. For fall/winter 2019, I’m sporting my go-to little black & white Border Collie accessorized with a whisper of American Bulldog/Husky. And add a fashionable sweater should temperatures dip to 35F or below, Problem Solved!
If you’d like any tips to make your fall fashions work head over to APS-FH and we’ll see what I can offer.
Posted October 19, 2019 at 8:42 am by Tim Dustrude
The Life Care Center of San Juan Island at 660 Spring Street – SJ Update photo
Story by Louise Dustrude…
A truly central location has been identified for further exploration for the new library: the former Life Care Center on upper Spring Street, close to the Mullis Senior Center, the Village at the Harbour, and an easy walk from the elementary, middle and high schools, and much more.
Of the three locations that were closely studied this one seemed to be the most expensive until due consideration was given to savings from the existing utilities and street improvements and other factors – and then it was determined to offer the most benefits for the lowest costs, according to Leslie Baker, the library’s Assistant Director and Adult Services Manager.
The choice was unanimous among the library’s board of trustees, and it seems to be pretty unanimously supported by the staff and those members of the public who have heard about it.
Surveys of library patrons in 2018 showed 74.4% favored a new library on a new site. Continue Reading
Posted October 19, 2019 at 8:41 am by Tim Dustrude
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor are now accepting applications for three awards; “Live Your Dream Award,” the “Fellowship Award,” and the “Educational Opportunity Award.”
Live Your Dream Award
The ‘Live Your Dream Award’ is a major Soroptimist service project. This award helps women in overcoming personal difficulties and bettering their lives through education and training. The recipient may use the cash award to offset any costs of higher education, such as tuition, books, childcare, or transportation. This award is available to a woman who is the primary wage earner in her household and enrolled in an undergraduate degree or vocational skills program of study.
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor has made a $4000 monetary award available for a woman in San Juan County. Recipients are eligible for additional cash awards at other levels of the organization, including three $10,000 finalist awards. Continue Reading
Posted October 19, 2019 at 8:41 am by Tim Dustrude
Terry Stanford and John Creighton – Contributed photo
Pete Freeland – Contributed photo
Dateline: Friday Harbor, WA – Have you ever dreamed of meeting and talking with actual astronauts? Now is your opportunity to interact with them during the Friday Harbor Film Festival! To enhance two exciting films about the space program, Pete Freeland, John Creighton, and Dr. Terry Stanford will participate in the Festival and speak after the film screenings.
Apollo 11 and Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo highlight the work of astronauts and all the behind-the-scenes workers that make the space program possible. Pete Freeland will speak Friday after the 10:15 am screening of Apollo 11 and after the 4 pm screening of Mission Control. John Creighton and Dr. Terry Sandford will speak after the screening of Apollo 11 on Sunday at 4:15 pm. All three guests will speak following the screening of Mission Control on Saturday at 7:15 pm.
Pete Freeland was an aerospace engineer for the Space Shuttle Program. Beginning in 2007 he worked with high school STEM programs, developing an Introduction to an Aerospace Engineering course, training teachers, and teaching students. Later he was an adjunct faculty member at San Diego State University. He is currently the director of the PoSSUM Mission Readiness Program, leading logistical and spaceport operational planning. Pete is a former U.S. Air Force high-altitude pilot and also has a successful career as an actor.
John Creighton (Captain, USN, Ret.) worked as a NASA astronaut in the Space Shuttle Program, flying several missions and logging over 403 hours in space between 1979 and his retirement in 1992. He participated in all the key decisions following the Challenger disaster, helping to shape the plan for resuming safe manned space flight. Continue Reading
Posted October 18, 2019 at 8:56 am by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan County Master Gardeners happily welcome Debby Hatch to the Annual Gardening Workshop this Saturday, October 19th. Debby has twenty-five years of experience growing a winter kitchen garden on Lopez Island. She’ll share her strategies for planning, planting and protecting a winter kitchen garden to provide a steady harvest through the winter.
Illustrated with photos from her garden, her talk covers what varieties work well in the islands, how to plant and when, and how to protect plants from wind, cold, rain and snow.
Debby writes the Lopez Island Kitchen Gardens blog and gives workshops and presentations on vegetable gardening for the WSU Master Gardeners, the San Juan County Fair Agriculture Tent, the Lopez Garden Club and the Orcas Island Garden Club. From 2006-2011, she wrote the monthly Green Living column for the Islands’ Weekly.
The Annual Gardening Workshop is a day-long event, with noted authorities speaking on a wide variety of topics of interest to PNW coastal gardeners. Multiple choices allow you to plan your day to attend sessions of interest to you.
This year topics include: Continue Reading
Posted October 18, 2019 at 8:55 am by Tim Dustrude
There will be a Meet and Greet event happening in Friday Harbor this Saturday, October 19th at 12:00.
Our organization, Orca Protection and Rescue (OPR), is hosting this event to give the public an opportunity to talk with our crew as well as educate them about our mission and future goals.
OPR focuses on three main areas: Vessel regulation, Education about Southern Resident Orcas and other local wildlife, and Plastic/Marine debris removal. For more information about OPR and our mission visit our website, https://www.orcaprotection.org/our-mission.
To date we have organized a beach clean up as well as many successful days on the water with vessel regulation! With the hope of increasing our following, we currently reached upwards of 2,000 people on our page interacting with each other and our content. Continue Reading
Posted October 18, 2019 at 8:54 am by Tim Dustrude
Ogle Fine Art Studio – Terry and Janie Ogle
The SJI Chamber of Commerce featured member of the month is Ogle Fine Art Studio. Friday Harbor local artists Terry & Janie Ogle opened the Ogle Fine Art Studio in hopes of displaying their art and having a working small artist studio downtown.
Their hope was for island friends and visiting tourists to experience a creative happening and perhaps find an original artwork to add some color to their lives. Janie works in hand painted silk garments and Terry has his wood sculptures and watercolor displayed.
Come see them in their unique little island studio 180 First Street S. (360) 317-5163.
Posted October 18, 2019 at 8:53 am by Tim Dustrude
Bingo Night is this Saturday October 19th at 5:00 at San Juan Brewery, 410 A Street, Friday Harbor. Great bingo prizes and a live auction.
All proceeds go to help complete the John O. Linde Park Baseball Field.
Posted October 18, 2019 at 8:53 am by Tim Dustrude
8th Ranked FHHS Wolverines Football Travels to LaConner, Look to Remain Unbeaten in League
Story by Mike Martin…
Friday Night the FHHS Wolverines look to extend their five-game winning streak as they travel to LaConner to take on the Braves. LaConner is 1-4 on the season and has lost two straight. During the Wolverine’s winning streak they’ve outscored their opponents 246-7 and have shutout 3 consecutive opponents.
The game will be streamed live Friday the 18th on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/c/FridayHarborTinyRadioTV and FHTinyRadio.com
The Lemon Computers Pregame Show begins at 6:30 PM with the Kickoff is at 7:00 PM
The Wolverines offense’s bread and butter has been their “Thunder” and “Lightning” packages. Thunder being Kaden Richie at tailback and Lightening being Kyson Jackson with bruising fullback, Mateo Blackmon, leading the way. With 17 touchdowns and 1,190 rushing yards on the season, Jackson knows who butters his bread. Continue Reading
Posted October 17, 2019 at 6:24 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Blue Buddha – Peggy Sue McRae photo
Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…
The practice of mindfulness is an important tool to have in your mental toolbox especially when life gets stressful. I’ve learned different mindfulness techniques or meditation practices over the years mostly within the context of a yoga class or Buddhist teaching.
Recently, I began taking a class, Mindfulness For Wellbeing and Peak Performance, a free online course through Future Learn from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. This class approaches mindfulness from a scientific perspective.
Recent studies of mindfulness, described as awareness, paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgment, have changed how we see the brain. It used to be thought that your adult brain had reached its apex and would only deteriorate. Neuroscience today tells a more hopeful story. Continue Reading