Come to the Sidewalk Sale at the Mullis Center, Saturday August 24 from 9am to 2pm for bargains on a wide array of household and kitchen goods, vintage/collectible items (including a steamer trunk), luggage, and more.

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans sponsors candidate forums, programs, and voter registration in order to promote informed and active participation for local citizens in government.  

Our upcoming general election candidate forums will be on:

• San Juan Island October 10, 5:30 – 7:00pm at the Grange
• Orcas Island October 14, 5:00 – 7:15pm at the Fire Station
• Lopez Island October 16, 5:00 – 6:30pm at Grace Church

Mark your calendar.

In the San Juan Update mailbag this morning we have this letter from Louise Dustrude…

I was happy to see Steve Ulvi’s excellent, detailed defense of the Land Bank in the San Juan Update.

I too have long appreciated the Land Bank for its preservation of beautiful public lands and for its careful stewardship of them.

We are fortunate to have Lime Kiln Preserve and West Side Preserve and Mount Grant (and soon Zylstra Lake) on this island, plus Mount Constitution and Lopez Hill and other treasures throughout the county.

We are all lucky to have this well-managed county agency, with its creative, thoughtful, and knowledgeable board and staff. Thank you, Lincoln, Doug, Eliza, and all the rest!

Louise Dustrude
Friday Harbor

Blood Drive Thursday at the Mullis Center Undeterred by Roadwork 

“I want to make sure folks know that it’s still happening even though we expect the parking lot and Nash Street to be closed to traffic. Donors will need to park on Market Street or elsewhere and walk-in to the Center.” Anna Coffelt, Mullis Center  

Mullis Community Senior Center is proud to be hosting the next San Juan Community Blood Drive on August 22^nd from 10 am to 4 pm.

Sponsored by the San Juan Island Lions Club, our community drive has collected more than 3,980 donations in just the last 10 years. That’s enough to have helped nearly 12,000 people from just our drive alone.

Blood donations are critical to people at all stages and from all walks of life: from newborn babies needing surgery to children fighting leukemia and to parents and adults fighting chronic life threatening illness or sudden traumas. Each donation contains critical components that save and sustain lives. Continue Reading

Laurie Paul and Tim Barrette – Contributed photo

This story was contributed by Laurie’s aunt Carol Meyer…

There are very few people in this world that have a “heart and soul” such as Laurie Paul. On August 20th, that heart and soul will be recognized by many living in Friday Harbor as they gather to celebrate her 50th birthday.

Fortunately for Friday Harbor, Laurie relocated from Florida after falling in love with the island and never looked back. She began working in restaurants as a sous-chef on the island learning the trade from the ground up. After several years of “paying her dues” with hard work and sweat, Laurie met Tim Barrette and alas, “The Market Chef” restaurant and catering service was born. It is now one of the most popular food service businesses in Friday Harbor.

Additionally, Laurie and Tim have been recognized in several food magazines making both the Paul and Barrette families very proud.

Laurie and Tim have been very involved in their community for many years and have made an abundance of friends that love them and their two children. Several holidays throughout the year are celebrated together as one big family and luckily for all, include the outstanding and unique recipes from “The Market Chef”.

August 20th will again include several friends and family that have planned various celebrations.

All Friday Harbor should raise a glass and toast to Laurie as well, in hopes that the good work and contribution she has made to her community will continue for many years going forward.

Fellow Film Buffs, 

Well this year’s film series is approaching its end.  I want to thank all of you for meeting us at the movies and supporting your local theatre.  As you know, for the past two years, we have not charged for admission, preferring a “pay what you can” model that encourages more of our island community to attend.  If you have been meaning to contribute but haven’t gotten around to it, now is your chance!  You can either deposit your cash or checks at the theatre before the movies or mail a check to:

San Juan Community Theatre
P.O. Box 1063
Friday Harbor WA 98250

Please indicate that your donations are in appreciation of the Summer Film Series.

Thank you
Larry Soll
Film Coordinator
San Juan Community Theatre

Here is our next film for Tuesday, August 20^th at 7:30 pm.

Amazing Grace
Documentary Rated PG 89 minutes

Music annals tell us about legendary lost projects that got released long after the fact. The Beach Boys’ “Smile.” Bob Dylan’s “Basement Tapes.” Prince’s “Black Album.” Now comes the holy grail: “Amazing Grace,” the movie of Aretha Franklin’s storied gospel concerts in 1972.

Having scored 11 consecutive No. 1 songs, the queen of soul was 29 and at the height of her powers. For two nights in a Baptist church in Los Angeles, she revisited her gospel roots. Six months later, a two-disc LP of the concerts was released, and it remains the biggest-selling live gospel album of all time.

What many didn’t realize is that those concerts were also filmed by legendary director Sydney Pollack. That footage was, as the song goes, lost but now is found. You don’t need to be a churchgoer to find “Amazing Grace” a soul-stirring, foot-stomping, hand-raising experience. When you hear Franklin, with that most gloooo-ree-us voice, magnificently turn one syllable into five, you’ll be moved to hand-clapping ecstasy just as Mick Jagger was when he joined the congregation on one of those nights.

This movie is recommended for music fans, particularly lovers of gospel music.  Also for history buffs.  Suitable for all ages.

Heidi Mathisen (left) holding her award presented by Food Preservation Dept. Superintendent, Minnie Knych (right) – Contributed photo

Heidi Mathisen is the winner of the ACE Food Preserver Award in the Food Preservation Department at the San Juan County Fair.

Ace Hardware donated a Food Saver Vacuum Sealer as a special award to the Food Preservation Department as the grand prize in the Food Preservation Department

This special award goes to the exhibitor who accumulates the most points in Food Preservation using the following scale:

• 3 points for each blue ribbon
• 2 points for each red ribbon
• 1 point for each white ribbon

Rules:
Entries must include at least 3 different classes of products in the Food Preservation Department. Heidi was awarded 10 Blue Ribbons in 3 categories of Food Preservation and a Best of Class Award for her Sunset Jam.

If you are interested in learning more about Food Preservation, there will be a class for beginners coming up. Watch for an announcement here soon.

Island Rec’s Free Movie in the Park 2019 is right around the corner – this Saturday evening, August 24^th, beginning at dusk in Sunken Park.

We are showing Wreck It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet. In this sequel to, “Wreck It Ralph” arcade residents Ralph and Vanelope, now friends, discover a Wi-fi router in their arcade, leading them on an adventure to the Internet to retrieve a piece capable of saving their game.

Movies typically begin 15 to 20 minutes after sunset which will be at 8:06 pm.

Come early with your blankets and chairs and find your friendly neighbors at this wonderful community event. Please enjoy our FREE popcorn courtesy of our sponsor FANS – Families and Neighbors support Island Rec. Please, no alcohol. And remember to Pack it in, pack it out.

Visit www.islandrec.org or call Island Rec at 360-378-4953 for more information.

In the San Juan Update mailbag today we find this letter from Steve Ulvi…

Tilting with Windmills on San Juan Island

I am compelled to respond to a recent inflammatory opinion piece by the editor in one of our local media outlets. And now another in the last few days. The gist of these is that our County Land Bank employs “bullying” tactics while un-neighborly individuals are bad-mouthing Lance and Rami Amaro who are themselves blameless and simply looking to farm on property adjacent to Mt. Grant Preserve.

It is difficult to understand why an editor would forgo journalistic balance by making accusatory statements and oversimplifying a complex tale of changing property boundaries, easement language, water rights and real estate transactions. In a small community, with wide differences of opinion about nearly everything, it is highly irresponsible to make broad-brush accusations without foundation. The proof that this editor is on a mission to smear rather than to further an important public discourse is the refusal to publish factual corrections submitted in response by the Land Bank.   And likely, this response, too.

Both large properties are great examples of preservation of scenic island landscapes. The Amaro Farm with the fir-clad hills behind is a bucolic scene with original buildings restored beautifully, fences in repair and pasture tended. The highest hill in the background, Mt. Grant, has been saved from becoming a subdivision of highly visible homes through multi-faceted negotiations, a grueling fund-raising campaign and adaptive (and highly transparent) management planning by the Land Bank and Preservation Trust. One heckava lot of paper work and due diligence. For all of us. For today and long into the future.

I am not an apologist for the Land Bank. But I am a staunch supporter of this unique and highly successful voter-approved program that has preserved a spectrum of significant parcels of land and shoreline for public use and enjoyment. Today our county still has one of the lowest percentages of public land in western Washington. Continue Reading

Image by David Schwarzenberg from Pixabay

Island Haven Animal Sanctuary is willing to facilitate the rehoming of any baby turtles won at the fair by children who now can’t take care of them.

We have community members with turtle experience ready to take them in, and we can take them as was well if necessary. We would like the public to know there is one organization to contact, no questions asked (we don’t want them to die or end up in our ponds).

I am working on getting a location in town lined up for people to be able to drop them off. Meanwhile, they can email us at [email protected], or text or call me at 360-622-8548.

Thank you,

Julie Duke
Founder/Director
Island Haven Animal Sanctuary

Nash, Caines and Price Street Improvement Project Traffic Disruption While Preparing Road Base

Monday, August 19 through Friday, August 23th

Traffic will continue to be disrupted this Monday, August 19^th through Friday, August 23^rd from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. while Contractors prepare the cement treated sub-base for the roadway at the Caines and Nash Street Intersection, Nash Street and Price Street.

Preparation for the cement treated base is anticipated between August 19^th-23^rd.

Current tasks include: Grading the roadbed to its desired elevation. Pouring the cement treated base for new asphalt.

Flaggers will be stationed to direct vehicles and pedestrians for local access. No parking will be permitted and local access will be compromised on the date that cement is poured to allow the roadbed an opportunity to cure.

Drivers and pedestrians are urged to exercise patience and safety. Alternative driving routes to the SJC Fairgrounds are recommended for fairgoers. Be advised that access to the Mullis Community Senior Center will be disrupted when necessary.

Information and updates on the project will be posted online as often as possible. Questions for daily operations can be directed to the on-site Project Manager, Christopher Hallock, Mike Carlson Enterprises or Town of Friday Harbor at (360) 378-2810.

Here’s a note to you from San Juan Bistro…

Dear Friday Harbor Friends, it’s summer, you’re busy, and you need lunch!

On weekends, for the rest of the season, we will be serving our San Juan Express menu with Deli style seating.

On Saturdays and Sundays, order at the counter, take a number and have a seat on the patio, or take out for a picnic!
 
“Love Your Lunch!” with deli style seating, Saturdays & Sundays, 11 to 3.

“Love Your Lunch!” with table service Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 to 3.
 Click here for menu.

Look forward to seeing you!

Thanks,
Richard, Sherri and Chef Bill

(We are closed Mondays.)

Near closing time on Thursday evening, County Fair staff received a report that small turtles were being distributed as a prize in one of Paradise Amusements’ carnival games and that some of the turtles were being mistreated by the recipients.  Friday morning,  staff investigated the situation with the carnival manager and with SJC Sherriff’s Office resulting in the Carnival discontinuing that program. 

The County will be working with Paradise Amusements to eliminate the use of live animals in their contracted activities with San Juan County Fair.  The County has contracted with Paradise Amusements to provide carnival and rides for the County Fair for many years and hopes to continue the relationship in a way that meets our community’s expectations to the best of our ability. 

For more information contact Dona Wuthnow, Parks & Fair Director:[email protected], 360.370.7452

Frank H. Mullis – Peggy Sue McRae photo collage

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…

It is August on San Juan Island. The roads are dusty and the traffic is wild. This time of year dodging mopeds and navigating around long lines of bicycling tourists can fray an islander’s nerves. If you are tempted however to think about how peaceful it must have been during earlier times, I’d like to share a short excerpt from the journal that Frank Mullis kept in 1905 when he was 18 years old.

August 13, 1905: After dinner I rode out to Wilson’s on a bicycle to see Will Strahl. I had a very pleasant time and started home about 4 o’clock. The roads were and are very dusty.

 On the way I met a band of sheep and when they saw me coming they ran down the road ahead of me kicking up such a cloud of dust that I could not see a foot ahead of me sometimes, so I rode slow thinking that I would let them get ahead and then they stopped so then I road fast and tried to pass them and they didn’t want to be passed.

 I ran them for about half a mile as fast as I could, considering the fact that the dust was so thick that I could only see about 1/3 of the time, and then they ran into an open field.

 I got home about 4:45  just as Papa and Uncle got back from their walk.

The next time you get behind a moped or a gaggle of bicyclists on the road, remember Frank and the sheep. Drive carefully and courteously and remember that time passes quickly and before we know it September will be here.

If you are interested in reading further excerpts from Frank Mullis’s 1905 journal here is another excerpt published previously on the San Juan Update:

From the Journal of Frank H. Mullis, San Juan Update September 2017

Stop by and chat with one of the Volunteer Naturalists at the Westside Preserve middle pullover south of Lime Kiln, or at Lime Kiln Whale Watch Wall. Happy to answer your questions and share information about the whales and the Salish Sea!!

• 11am-2pm Saturday 8-17-19
  Westside Preserve
• 11am-2pm Sunday 8-18-19
  Westside Preserve
• 2pm-5pm Sunday 8-18-19
  Lime Kiln
• 11am-2pm Tuesday 8-20-19
  Lime Kiln

* depends on weather- rain will cancel

Many thanks to this collaboration with local and regional education and research groups to be providing educational opportunities and helping care for the Westside Preserve!

~ San Juan Island Naturalist Program ~
Caroline Armon

Mandy Fer & Dave McGraw are back at it with new perspective, a new name, and a new sound. Sway Wild is their own unique blend of indie-rock, folk, funk and pop, influenced heavily by all the wild things around and within them.

Known as a standout electric guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Mandy Fer fills the stage with her strong yet poised guitar solos, defying long-held gender barriers for female guitarists. Dave McGraw’s emotional songwriting riffs on natural elements of the world around him. 

The duo’s 2014 release Maritime charted at #1 on the EuroAmericana Chart for two consecutive months and was praised by The Telegraph for “…soulful songs, intuitive musicianship, and fine singing.” Together, their exceptional vocal harmonies coupled with Fer’s pioneering electric guitar work have become a vehicle to carry them around the world.

The pair has honed their skills touring extensively throughout the US and Europe. Winning over audiences anywhere from Alaska to Amsterdam, Sway Wild performs a heartfelt and dynamic blend of innovative folk, rock, pop and funk.

See them at San Juan Community Theatre on Friday, August 23 at 7:30 pm

Tickets:

• $23 Adults
• $13 Students
• $5 Student RUSH (at door only)

Melodious Notes – Contributed photo

After a very successful concert in April, Melodious Notes is trying something new by being in the Gubelman for an evening and afternoon performance. This will give the audience an intimate setting so that they will be able to be up close and personal with the musicians. The performances are designed to be lighter and have more of a summer flavor. This also allows the musicians to use different combinations of instruments for small ensembles. And since it will be the end of summer, Melodious Notes will be able to more easily utilize off island and on island musicians in more interesting and unique combinations. 

Director Sue Collado says, “Many people don’t realize that we don’t all live in Friday Harbor, and we have become frequent fliers on the ferry to make these performances possible. These summer Melodious Notes concerts have typically been a part of Night Music, and so this is our first summer adventure on our own, and we are excited to be able to share these wonderful pieces with you. Please join us!”

• Saturday, August 31 at 7:30 pm & Sunday, September 1 at 2:00 pm
• Gubelman Theatre
• Tickets:
  Adults: $21 & Students $11