In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we find this letter from Amanda Azous…

Dear Editor,

Since April 2019 I have volunteered to open and close driving access to Mt Grant every Wednesday. My duties include opening the locked gates, traveling along Geraldine Way and driving to the top of Mt Grant. I inspect the infrastructure including the Port a Potty located at the top of Mt Grant, the picnic tables and the condition of the roads and trailheads. I make sure no one is locked in when the gate closes in the evening and I look for litter, broken fencing, dog feces, poop bags, noxious weeds and anything else that might be of concern to steward Mt Grant.

I rarely find litter of any kind. I have never seen anyone trespassing on neighbor’s property, nor have I seen abandoned vehicles, illegal camping, or any of the many transgressions that have been promulgated by the family now suing the County to remove the existing public access to Mt Grant. The only rule I’ve observed broken at Mt Grant is owners not leashing their dogs and that is, unfortunately, common throughout the county. Continue Reading

Greetings from San Juan Community Theatre! We are pleased to announce our 2019-2020 Live in HD Season.

Highlights include Turandot, Madama Butterfly, and Porgy & Bess from the Metropolitan Opera, Present Laughter, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Lehman Trilogy from The National Theatre, and Swan Lake from the Bolshoi Ballet.

After hearing from patrons, we have adjusted our weekend showtimes to start at 1pm. Tickets are on sale now in the Box Office, so call (360) 378-3210 or stop by Tuesday-Friday 1-4 pm or Saturday 11 am-2 pm to reserve your seats today.

See the entire schedule here (PDF)

We look forward to seeing you at the Theatre!

Now Registering for Kids Coding Classes at San Juan Island Library

The San Juan Island Library and San Juan Island 4-H are offering computer coding classes for kids in grades 4th and 5th.

Classes are free and are held the following days from 3:00 – 4:30 PM in the Library Meeting Room:

• Thursday, Oct. 3
• Thursday, Oct. 10
• Thursday, Oct. 17
• Thursday, Oct. 24

All materials are provided, including workbooks and logins for using the coding program, Scratch. The class meeting time also will include a light snack.

The Kids Coding classes follow a STEM-based computer programming curriculum developed by National 4-H and the University of Illinois Office of Mathematics, Science, and Technology.

The local 4-H chapter and the San Juan Island Library are bringing this opportunity to the community in celebration of National Youth Science Day, held annually in the month of October.

To register or for more information, please call the Library at 360-378-2798 or email, Melina Lagios at [email protected].

Export, the band from Friday Harbor, circa 1979-80 will be playing a reunion show here this coming weekend, Saturday evening at the Grange. Band leader Dennis Michael reports the following…

Donna and Bob Reynolds – Contributed photo

As we have been preparing for next Saturday’s show we received some sad news. Our guitar player, Rick Wiltse’s mom Donna Reynolds recently passed away.

In her honor and to support our friend, the band has decided to raise funds to enhance Friday Harbor schools music programs. Each band member will make a personal contribution and we will have a jar at the show for those who attend, if they should want to add to the donation.

Music in the schools is near and dear to us, especially since all of us in one way or another have continued to have music as a part of our lives and one has chosen music education as a career.

So please come to the show, bring some snacks, listen and dance, and support Friday Harbor Music education.

Dr. Griggs and a student at an excavation

Ancient papyrus Dr. Griggs found during his excavations

The Friday Harbor Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomes everyone to an afternoon with Dr. C. Wilfred Griggs presentation on Ancient Christian Studies

This Seminar is for all interested in learning what the Bible is, and how it came to exist. We will also discuss how the idea of added scriptures is not new in Judaism or Christianity—the great body of apocryphal writings includes much that was “scriptures” to many Jews and Christians ate various times.

• Time: The time is Saturday, October 26^th, 2019, at 3 PM.
• Place: The Place is the Branch Building at 1013 Lampard Road, Friday Harbor, WA

Dr. Griggs was educated at BYU and Stanford University, and received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He has taught at Oxford University and held a Professorship of Ancient Studies at BYU. In addition to being a scholar of early Christian and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint history he is also an archeologist. Continue Reading

Families of all ages can explore making art of, or with food! The San Juan Islands Museum of Art‘s (SJIMA) Fall Family Art Days begin Saturday, September 28, from noon to 5:00 pm, at 540 Spring Street. The classes are upstairs on the second floor.

Children and their family members create entertaining and interesting projects that take inspiration from the Food For Thought exhibition at SJIMA. Kids get to leave with the take-home art they made.

Experienced art instructor Lana Hickman provides guidance, materials and fascinating new ideas. All are welcome to enjoy this FREE opportunity for fun and creativity.

The schedule of classes is as follows: Continue Reading

Exhibition: September 27 to December 9, 2019, at the San Juan Island Museum of Art 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Micro Views of Sustenance: Threats and Prospects offers a micro perspective on how one part of nature–our food–is connected to climate change.

Using photomontage to create a conversation between everyday foods and microscopic parts of themselves, Orcas Island resident Robert Dash’s work ponders threats to our staple foods from: crop loss due to droughts, floods, soil loss, pests, deforestation; loss of crop nutrient value, and stresses on developing nations; the shifting ranges of many crops; the shift of seasons and implications for syncing with pollinators; and the crash of insect (bee and other) populations. Continue Reading

L-R: Kris Brown; Maxine Christison; Becki Day – Chamber Executive Director; Steve Hushebeck; Denise Garcia; Eric Schmidt; Dennis DeMuth; Jodie DeMuth; and Scott Sluis – Chamber President – Tim Dustrude photo

There was a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new Friday Harbor business last Thursday – Members of the Chamber of Commerce met with Denise Garcia to welcome her new architecture business to the island. In her own words, here’s what her business is all about…

At Domain Design Architects, our mission is to help clients envision their dreams by providing thoughtful, creative and unique design solutions.

After earning a Master’s degree in Architecture from MIT, owner and principal Denise Garcia spent 9 years in Boston, Mass., working on projects throughout the United States. In 1993, after moving to Washington state, Domain Design Architects was launched.

Denise Garcia has been the owner/principal of Domain Design Architects for 26 years, first on Bainbridge Island and now in beautiful Friday Harbor. Domain Design specializes in residential architecture, light commercial buildings and interiors. Recent projects include waterfront homes (both new and remodeled), a winery in Chelan, WA and a new Zero Energy Ready Home certified by the US Department of Energy; the first to be located on San Juan Island. Continue Reading

You might know someone who’s fallen and had a hard time recovering. Falls as we age can be devastating, but they don’t have to be a part of aging. Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balanceâ (TJQMBB) is an evidence-based balance and fall prevention program. It meets on Wednesdays and Fridays, 11:45-12:45 at Studio JAMM (152 2^nd St.) October 9 through November 15.

Like classic Tai Ji, this practice includes slow, low impact, and controlled movements and body positions. But the eight core movements in this class have been adapted to specifically improve the parts of your body needed for increased balance, strength, flexibility, and reflexes. It also helps memory, cognition, breathing, mindfulness, and body awareness.

Dorothy Ives shares her experience,  “I’ve had several instances of saves due to your class that would have been significant falls. One of them was noteworthy as it was in the location of one of my worst falls (the last time I was in the area helping my mom) – one where I landed on my back, slamming the back of my head onto the ground. Though I stumbled on the same surface irregularity, I recovered, step-stepped forward, throwing my arms out, wider slightly crouched stance. The majority of my recoveries were less dramatic but a clear outgrowth of our class.” Continue Reading

Animal Protection Society Friday Harbor once again thanks our caring community for its ongoing generosity and support. Many have reached out to continue their P.A.L. membership, supporting shelter operations, and at the recent San Juan County Fair as part of the San Juan Island Community Foundation (SJICF) matching grant program.

The SJICF matching grant program raised funds for the purchase and installation of a water catchment system at the animal shelter and we are terrifically excited to now be in the process of installing this much-needed addition to our facility and grounds. This system helps us take another step toward sustainability and softens our paw-print on the environment.

Thank you SJI for helping APS-FH provide compassionate care and a brighter future for homeless animals. Continue Reading

Story by Louise Dustrude…

William F. House MD – Contributed photo

Dr. Burk Gossom has found “the right person for the position” in his words and will actually be retiring sometime after the first of the year.

He and Will House, M.D., have “a gentleman’s agreement” for transfer of San Juan Healthcare and will be working out details of transfer of license, credentialing, licensing – “a whole lot of moving pieces” — between now and then.

Dr. House has given notice in his current position as a family physician in Rockport, Maine.

Both men are board-certified in family medicine.

Dr. House and his family are looking forward to living here, and in fact have been trying for some years to move to the San Juan Islands. His wife Sherrie is a math teacher. They visited San Juan County about 17 years ago with their daughter Jackie, who was then one year old. Jackie plans to attend the University of Washington after living here for a year to gain residency. Their daughter Savannah, who is 10, will attend public school here; her parents checked out the schools and were “very impressed.”

He had an earlier career in software engineering before going to med school at Tulane University in New Orleans, graduating in 2015. Continue Reading

FRONT ROW: Cindy Guard Andrus, Cindy Nash, Mary Gerard Howe, Mike Sundstrom, Jeri Jensen Ahrenius, Wendy Fairweather Picinich, Laurie Carter Piff, Jan Murray Anderson, Dorian Rishel Langum, Nick Nash, Creige Scribner
BACK ROW: Tom Jeannet, Mike Wilks – Contributed photo

San Juan Update reader Jan shares this fun announcement with you…

The FHHS Class of ‘69 held their 50-year reunion at Mike & Beth Wilks’s home on Saturday the 14th. Out of our graduating class of 20, 13 attended. Twelve in the class started in kindergarten together.

BACK: Cindy Guard Andrus, Debbie Weaver, Cindy Nash, Kristy Wade Carlson, Nick Nash, Patrick Minsch, Jan Murray Anderson
MIDDLE: Jeri Jensen Ahrenius, Claire Phifer, Ken Crawford, Dan Schuman, John Ruthroth, Linda Ahrend
FRONT: Rob Sandwith, Lynne Boyce, Wendy Fairweather Picinich, Dorian Rishel, Patty Leake, Janet Franklin (Missing from picture is Mary Gerard Howe.)

Bruce Hansen

Remembrance Event

This is a gentle reminder from Francie Hansen for a remembrance event honoring her husband Bruce, who passed away on July 5. He would want everyone to:

• Honor your commitments;
• Pay your bills on time;
• Practice random acts of kindness*; and
• Remember what Thumper Rabbit’s mother said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.”

Bruce’s wife Francie is looking forward to hearing your remembrances at a special “Come Walk Bruce’s Path” gathering, which will be held on Saturday, September 28, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, at 47 Inverness Lane (off False Bay Road). Please park in designated areas only, and wear comfortable shoes.

Any individual wishing to honor Bruce’s memory is encouraged to make a donation to the charity of his/her choice.

Don’t forget – this event is today…

At 10:30am on Friday, September 20th, at the Friday Harbor courthouse lawn, students from San Juan Island, in conjunction with students from around the world, will be striking to demand transformative action be taken to address the climate crisis.

The strike is taking place three days before the UN Climate Summit in NYC. The students ask people of all ages to be a part of the strike, as it is no longer the job of youth alone to fight in the battle for a healthy planet.

Community members will meet on the lawn of the Courthouse and will march to the roundabout at the ferry landing. We are taking to the streets to demand a right to a future.

We ask you to strike with us.

Contributed photo

Island Rec – Messy Me

Do you have a tactile toddler who just wants to touch everything? Here’s their chance to explore to their heart’s content!

Messy Me returns on Friday, September 27, from 2-3:30pm at the Friday Harbor Elementary School gym. There will be sensory bins filled with all sorts of interesting textures and a myriad of ways to interact and learn.

This activity is free and meant for children ages 2 to 5 and their chaperones.

Marie Hart – Contributed photo

A Great Life – Celebrating Dance, Music, and Yoga!

On Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, Marie Prabha Hart of San Juan Island Passed away in Bellingham, Washington. Marie is survived by her son Ivan Reiff and his wife Jackie, grandson Brendan, and sister Evelyn Long.

Born in Philadelphia in 1943, Marie took up ballet at an early age, dancing professionally from 1972 to 1981 in New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.  She had a great love of the arts, and frequented museums and performances. Spiritual callings made themselves known early on.

During a visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, she came upon an exhibit that partially recreated a medieval chapel with a beautiful stained-glass window. Even though she wasn’t religious and somewhat suspicious of spiritual traditions, Marie instinctively bowed down before the window. She felt that she was in the presence of something greater than herself.

She soon started living the life of a spiritual seeker. In her 20s, she moved to California. She lived in a commune in Oregon and made her own granola long before most people even knew what that was. In Berkeley, California, she co-owned with 16 other people a locally famous house, called the Derby Dump, despite the fact that it was a beautiful old home in a nice neighborhood just off Telegraph Avenue. It was there she raised her adored son Ivan. The proceeds from selling her share enabled her to take her first trip to India, whose traditions would come to define her later life. Continue Reading