Left to right:  Jim & Sue Corenman (Sports Car Club), Jennifer Armstrong (Joyce L Sobel FRC), Mariluz Villa (Hospice of San Juan), Brad Whittaker (District Gov), Tom Sibert (Rotary Pres), Theresa Tilton (FUG board), Brian Moore (Family Umbrella Group) – Contributed photo

The following is from Carla Wright, Publicity – Rotary Club of San Juan Islands…

The Rotary Club of San Juan Islands recently presented checks to the recipients of proceeds from the 13th annual Concours d’Elegance held on August 24th at the San Juan Vineyard. This event is co-sponsored by the Sports Car Club of San Juan Islands.

Each organization, (Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center, Family Umbrella Group, and Hospice of San Juan) received $4,450.00 presented by our District Governor, Brad Whittaker. PolioPlus Fund of Rotary International received $1,000.

Please support the recipients as well as our following sponsors: Islanders Bank, Porsche Bellingham, San Juan Vineyard, Peace Health/Peace Island Medical Center, Heritage Bank, IPS, San Juan Interiors, Browne’s Home Center, Carquest Auto Parts, Dr. Brian Crain, Island Group Sotheby’s, Earthbox, Friday Harbor House, Windermere SJI, Island Home Finishes, Friday Harbor Drug, King’s Market, Roche Harbor Resort, Kenmore Air, M&W Auto, Sandstrom Law, Safe Harbor Insurance, Harbor Rental, Friday Harbor Electric, Aeronautical Services, Printonyx, Inter-Island Propane, Discovery Sea Kayaks, Island Gardens.

SJ Update File photo, Whales & Shipping – Shannon Rankin, NOAA/NMFS/SWFSC

WA Superior Court requires state to reconsider impacts to orcas in Skagit County refinery expansion project
Thurston County Superior Court rules on decision from Shoreline Hearings Board related to Marathon Oil’s Anacortes Refinery; environmental groups appealed for failing to consider vessel traffic impacts

THURSTON COUNTY, WA — On Friday, October 11, the Thurston County Superior Court agreed with arguments made by a coalition of environmental organizations and more than 7,500 residents that the Shorelines Hearings Board must consider whether Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a refinery expansion project in Skagit County adequately considers vessel traffic impacts to the Salish Sea and the critically endangered Southern Resident orcas, as well as the significant increases in pollution that cause climate change.

The Superior Court ruling is related to a decision from the Shorelines Hearings Board granting permits for an expansion project at Marathon Oil’s (formerly Andeavor and previously known as Tesoro) Anacortes Refinery to begin manufacturing and exporting xylenes — petrochemicals used in plastics production — which would increase vessel traffic in the Salish Sea.

“This ruling means that environmental groups can now argue their case in front of the Shoreline Hearings Board that Skagit County failed to adequately address impacts to orcas and climate in the Environmental Impact Statement for the Anacortes Refinery expansion project. We look forward to having our day in court to get these issues resolved,” said Oliver Stiefel of Crag Law Center, the lawyer representing the case.

“This is a fantastic victory for all of us who live and recreate in the Salish Sea!” said Stephanie Buffum, Executive Director of Friends of the San Juans.

The environmental organizations involved in the appeal in addition to Friends of the San Juans include Evergreen Islands, Stand.earth, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, Friends of the Earth, and Puget Soundkeeper Alliance. Continue Reading

Tim Eyman is back on the ballot with another $30 car-tab initiative, I-976. You may have seen the TV ads or visited www.no976.com on the web. Among a long list of cuts, I-976 would have an immediate effect on funding for ferry operations as well as maintenance and improvements.

The repercussions of Eyman’s I-695 twenty years ago should not be forgotten: Ferry fares nearly doubled over the following few years, and new vessel construction was shut down for the following decade. Ferry construction was funded by the vehicle excise tax, which was never replaced. There is still no capital funding program to replace aging ferries, each one requires an act of legislature and a patchwork of funding including a ticket surcharge. We see the continuing impact of I-695 every time we ride a ferry, and if I-976 passes it will only get worse.

I-976 would limit car tab fees to $30 and eliminate or limit a spectrum of weight and other fees, severely impacting transportation funding. Three-quarters of the hit is on the “Multimodal” Account, which funds a wide variety of alternative transportation systems: buses, light rail, HOV and HOT lanes, and … ferries.

For the current biennium (July 2019 to June 2021) $45 million is appropriated from the multimodal account to ferries operations. This represents about 9% of the total funding for operations and is very much at risk if I-976 passes.

The impact of this initiative statewide would be huge. How much of that would fall on WSF is unknown at this point, WSDOT and the legislature would have to make some very hard choices. But there is no magic, a decrease in ferries operations funding means reduced service or higher fares, or both. And another attack on transportation funding would certainly dampen any enthusiasm that the legislature might have for transportation improvements.

Please join us in voting “No!” on Initiative 976.

San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee

Jim Corenman, Chair, San Juan Island;
Rick Hughes, County Council;
Larry Vandermay, Orcas;
Ken Burtness, Lopez;
Jennifer Swanson, Shaw;
Deborah Hopkins Buchanan, Visitors;
Pat McKay, Commercial Rep.

[email protected]

More financial info: https://www.ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/budget/ballot/2019/FiscalImpactStatementInitiative976-093019.pdf

Debra Prinzing of the “Slow Flowers” Movement Highlights the Master Gardeners Annual Gardening Workshop

“Seasonal, Local and Sustainable Flowers, from the Field to your Vase,” is the keynote address by Debra Prinzing, accomplished garden writer and advocate for American-grown flowers.

Debra’s talk addresses the renaissance of domestic flower farming and the emerging eco-floral design movement. As many cut flowers for market are laden with chemicals and imported thousands of miles, Debra will share her ideas about healthier alternatives for you, your home, and the planet. 

During each month of the year, the garden has something wonderful to offer those who want to enjoy cut floral arrangements indoors. Expand the way you view your own backyard, the flowers sold by vendors at your local farmer’s market and even the “weeds” in wild places. Debra’s presentation will feature her beautiful season-by-season bouquets and many useful tips for DIY floral design. Continue Reading

Coming up on Saturday is this month’s Contra Dance. This month’s caller is Tom Wimmer from Seattle, and the Band is The Beats, from Bellingham, consisting of Steve Blum-Anderson on fiddle and Brigget LeClair on piano. 

This trio of folks are very talented and will be sure to get the crowd up and spinning around!  As the weather turns colder and wetter, a nice evening at the Grange Hall with good music and good friends is just the ticket.  So come join the party!

As always, all dances are taught, no need to bring a partner since with contra dance we change partners with each dance.  And no need to have any contra dance experience.  We have new dancers each time and they pick it right up and have a blast!

• Grange Hall in Friday Harbor
• Saturday October 19, 2019, 7 till 9 PM
• $10 donation at the door, $5 students

The dance is sponsored by San Juan Island Grange #966.  Check our Facebook page at San Juan Islands Contra Dance.

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

Beginning Tuesday, November 12 through Sunday, December 8, international service between Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney B.C. is cancelled due to required maintenance on both vessels in WSF’s fleet certified to run international service to and from Sidney B.C: M/V Elwha and M/V Chelan.

During this period, M/V Kitsap will replace Elwha/Chelan and sail in the #1 vessel position to maintain full 4-vessel service on the domestic San Juan Island routes. 

Reservation holders on the cancelled international sailings will not be charged no-show fees. Customers may also choose to change or cancel their reservations without penalty at www.takeaferry.com.  

Alternate routes during this period are between Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay on B.C. Ferries, or between Port Angeles/Victoria on the Black Ball Ferry Line.

Join Grange scholarship recipient Dan Tucker as he describes the process of making ‘tree hay’ for livestock. Cattle, sheep and goats are all foragers, and appreciate variety in their diet.

The ancient process of bundling clippings from certain bush and tree species benefits your livestock and landscape.

October 17th at 6:00 pm for the Potluck; 7:00 pm for the Presentation. At the Grange Hall, 52 First Street North, Friday Harbor.

Photo by Ted Strutz

The Rotary Club of San Juan Island recently visited the Friday Harbor Elementary School for its annual distribution of dictionaries to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.

The kids are excited to receive a dictionary of their own. Rotary have given over 3,000 dictionaries and thesauruses to students countywide for over 11 years under the leadership of Barb Fagan, Literacy Chair.

As computers have entered the classrooms, we remind the students, when your computer is down, your thesarus and dictionary are still up and running!

Teen Open Gym is now running for grades 6-12 on Sunday nights from 7-8:30pm. Grab a friend and come to the Turnbull Gym for some basketball or other indoor games at this free, drop-in program. A parent waiver is required.

Check out all of Island Rec’s events at www.islandrec.org, stop by our office Monday – Friday 11:00am-5:00pm at 580 Guard Street, or call 360-378-4953.

Here’s a San Juan Island Real Estate Market Summary from Merri Ann Simonson…

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

The third quarter results for San Juan Island and the County were consistent with the first and second quarter results.   Per the NWMLS, the dollar volume year-to-date on San Juan Island was $84,048,800 with a total of 135 transactions.

This reflects a 15% decrease in the dollar volume and a 25% decrease in the number of transactions. For San Juan County, the total dollar volume was $207,098,020 with a total of 319 transactions. The County had a decrease of 5.5% in dollar volume and a decrease of 19% in number of transactions.

Based on the downward trend for the last 21 months in both dollar volume and transaction numbers, we will most likely conclude this year with less volume than 2018 in both categories.

Continue reading… (PDF)

Join Alchemy Art Center on October 18th at the San Juan Island Grange for a wonderful dinner generously provided by some of San Juan Island’s finest chefs and farms. 

The event will include wine and live music, a live auction, and a raffle for the chance to win any one of the fantastic auction items! Tickets to the event can be purchased on Alchemy’s website at www.alchemyartcenter.com.

Alchemy Art Center, founded by Maria Michaelson and Eben Shay in 2017, is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to creating a thriving arts community on San Juan Island. Alchemy offers classes and workshops for kids and adults, monthly memberships, and community outreach.

All proceeds from this event will go toward Alchemy’s growing facilities, programming, and scholarship funds as they enter their second year as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 

Sponsoring restaurants and farms include Duck Soup with chef Steven Jones, Market Chef, Coho, Backdoor Kitchen, Aurora Farms, Cynthia’s, New Hannah Farm, Cafe Demeter, Mike’s Wine Bar, Bakery San Juan, and Mama Bird Farm.  The main entree will feature a Moroccan Tagine (both meat and vegan options) by chef Steven Jones. Continue Reading

It is time to register for Island Rec Girls and Boys Basketball Leagues, open to all kids in grades 2 through 8.

The focus of this league is development and improvement of individual and team skills. Previous basketball experience is not required. All games are played on Island, Sundays in Turnbull Gym.

Boys basketball league has an early fee of $45, expires Oct 24, $50 thereafter. Games are November 17th through December 1st.

Girls basketball league has an early fee of $45, expires Dec 19, $50 thereafter. Games are January 26th through February 16th.

Register online at www.islandrec.org or stop by the Island Rec Office. Call 360-378-4953 for more information about the league or if you are interested in volunteering as a coach, referee or scorekeeper.

Do you have what it takes to escape? We invite you to join us for a night full of fun and mystery! Come try your luck at our astronomy themed escape room, where you will be tasked with solving puzzles, having fun, and saving the world.

Most puzzles are aimed for ages 10+, but all ages are welcome!

All proceeds will go towards the purchase of a telescope that will be donated to the San Juan Island Library, and then be available for check out by the public.

Form a team of 2-6 people and join us on October 18th from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. This is not a library sponsored event, but will
be taking place in the library’s public meeting room. Cost is $20 per team. Reservations for a time slot can be made by emailing
[email protected].

Walk-ins on the day of the event are also welcome and treats will be available for purchase. We look forward to seeing you there!

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

Buongiorno, It’s Me, Luigi, Pet of the Week looking for a cozy couch for football Sunday!

As you might guess from my salt and pepper sparkle, I’m the life of any party and quite a charmer if I do say so myself. Everyone says I could possibly be the sweetest Chihuahua Mix on Cattle Point.

I’ve only been at APS-FH for a few weeks, it’s lovely here; the heated floors are perfect for cool weather, but I’m READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL and to be the center of your world.

If you’re looking for a charming 12^th Man get in touch with me at APS-FH. No rush, but the Seahawks are taking on the Ravens and I’d like to see if the Ravens’ struggling defense really is as bad as the tanking Dolphins’.

Running a freelance or small consulting business

Learn to navigate challenges faced by freelancers and similar small businesses at a panel discussion on November 7^th at the Orcas Island library from 12:00 to 1:30 PM. This event will be helpful for anyone interested in starting a new freelance or consulting business and those already running one.

Panelists Selby Lighthill of Lighthill Law, Mary Ann Sircely, of Sircely Marketing and Design, and James Bach of Satisfice will give short presentations on their areas of expertise, including legal, marketing, and pricing issues. Panel presentations will be followed by discussion among all attendees.

This free event is put on through the San Juan County Economic Development Council’s Knowledge Worker Network initiative which connects islanders who work primarily with information, such as software developers, editors and writers, web and graphic designers, scientific consultants, and many others. Members of any and all professions are welcome at this event. For more information, see the EDC website: https://sanjuansedc.org/kwn.

The EDC thanks our funders for their support of this workshop and other EDC initiatives. This event is not affiliated with the Orcas Island Library.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County.  We believe a strong economy builds a strong community.   

Allison Larson – Contributed photo

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor has announced Allison Larson as the Volunteer of the Month for October, 2019.

Allison started volunteering at the animal shelter in 2016 and has been a loyal and regular volunteer. Allison can always be counted on to cuddle cats, wash dishes and fold laundry.

The staff and board of directors of APS-FH extend a heartfelt gratitude to Allison for everything she does to help the homeless animals of San Juan Island!