Lodging Tax grant funds available to promote 2020 tourism in Friday Harbor.

The Town of Friday Harbor’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is now accepting applications for grants to fund tourism promotion of events and activities taking place within the town in 2020. Preference will be given to those operations and activities that encourage tourists to visit during the shoulder and winter seasons. Summer activities are acceptable but should be scheduled to avoid what are recognized as high traffic weekends.

LTAC grants are awarded annually by the Town Council and are funded with the state’s Hotel Motel Tax collected on all in-town lodging stays of less than 30 days in length. Grant proposals are reviewed by the LTAC which is made up of council members, lodging owners, and community members appointed by the Mayor. The Town Council takes the LTAC’s recommendations under advisement when determining final grant awards.

Interested parties should review the Request for Proposal (RFP) and complete the LTAC Grant Application available at Town Hall, 60 Second Street, Friday Harbor, WA, and at the Town web site: www.fridayharbor.org. Applications must be submitted to Town Hall no later than 4:30 pm Wednesday, September 4, 2019.

Come join us tonight to share your thoughts and learn more about possible ferry fare changes.

To provide San Juan Islands residents opportunity to comment on potential changes to fares, the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) will host a public meeting in Friday Harbor, which will include a brief presentation by WSTC and WSF staff and the opportunity to provide comment.

The community meeting will be at 5:30 pm, Wednesday, May 29th at the San Juan County Council Hearing Room, 55 2nd St. N., Friday Harbor.

If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, it will be streamed live from the San Juan County website:  https://www.sanjuanco.com/903/Council-Agendas-and-Video

On May 22, 2019, the Board of San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 voted to give $15,000 for the feasibility study looking into long-term care in the county. This money will go to the 501(c)(3) Inter Island Healthcare Foundation, or IIHF, which is serving as the financial agent for the project. We understand that including this donation approximately half of the needed $50,000 has been raised. 

Commissioner Warren Appleton, a retired ER doctor, explained why he voted for the measure saying: “This is never a need until it becomes a crisis. You get one stroke and your family can’t take care of you. What are you going to do? It’s a tool we don’t have on this island anymore. It’s a tool that’s needed.” Continue Reading

In the mailbag today there is this letter to you from Evan G. Perrollaz, Administrator – The Village at the Harbour…

Op-Ed Regarding Long-Term Care Fundraising Efforts

It’s easy to forget how fragile life is. About a year ago, I got a call from a gentleman who was in a nursing home up in Bellingham recovering from a stroke. He was an incredibly well traveled man who spent time between Orcas and Alaska, enjoying time on his boat exploring nature and serenity.

That changed the day he had his stroke and his world changed forever. We ended up moving him into the Village at Friday Harbor where I serve as Administrator. He had a connection with Orcas so the islands felt like home. He is an ongoing reminder that life can change in an instant and the freedoms and luxuries that we are accustomed to can disappear overnight.

This man needed the right environment to recover. He needed to be surrounded by the right people to heal. This island does have a spirit to it, and without that connection he would have wasted away and deteriorated. I really believe that. I want to give people the opportunity to age here, to heal here, to not have to do it in Bellingham or Mount Vernon. Continue Reading

Tubing in the Afternoon – John Miller photo

John Miller caught this image of tubing on Sportsman’s Lake with his drone about 100′ above the lake.

Thanks for sharing John!

Leo Club President Julian Brown presents some of  Mr. Sawyer’s students with a $400 check to fund a Museum of Flight field trip for the History & Aerospace class – Contributed photo

LEO Club President Julian Brown presents Helen Machin-Smith a $500 check for Island Stage Left – Contributed photo

Last Sunday, May 19^th, the FHHS LEO Club held it’s 12^th Annual Golf Scramble at the San Juan Golf and Tennis Club.  This yearly fundraiser is supported by the San Juan Golf & Tennis Club, local golfers, local merchants, and the San Juan Lions Club. 

The weather cooperated and the day spent playing golf culminated in a BBQ dinner, sponsored and staffed by the San Juan Island Lions Club.  Next year’s LEO Club officers were installed and outgoing officers were honored.  As well, the LEO Club gave end-of-the-year gifts to deserving non-profits, community projects, and fulfilled a classroom funding request.

This past year, LEO Club gave $400 to the FHHS Aerospace Team for 2018 travel expenses, $500 to Island Stage Left for their summer Shakespeare production, four 100’ hoses to Island Haven Sanctuary to replace hoses that froze in last year’s winter blast, $400 to Mr. Sawyer’s History & Aerospace class to fund a field trip to the Museum of Flight, and another $600 to fund the Aerospace Team for their 2019 travel to the July competition in Florida. 

Since 2007, the LEO Club has been giving back to the community with numerous volunteer hours and through funding community requests.  The student-lead club is always looking for new members, grades 9-12. 

LEO Club President Julian Brown, Advisors John Bostrom & BJ Brandli gift Keri Talbott with four 100’ hoses for Island Haven Sanctuary – Contributed photo

You belong here! Open Enrollment for all students is going on now for Summer and Fall quarters at Skagit Valley College. Summer classes start July 1 and Fall classes start September 24.

Begin your college experience with us and save money on tuition by studying close to home. Or, start your new career with training in one of our workforce programs. In addition, Dual Credit programs, Community Education workshops and Basic Education for Adults options, including ELA, GED, and High School Completion, are available. Trending programs include:           

• Arts
• Automotive
• Composites and Manufacturing
• Engineering
• Marine Technology
• Medical Assistant
• Welding
• Also, Business Direct Transfer (at Whidbey Island Campus)

To get started, visit www.skagit.edu/getstarted or call:

• San Juan Center, (360) 378-3220
• Mount Vernon Campus, (360) 416-7700
• Whidbey Island Campus, (360) 675-6656
• South Whidbey Center, (360) 675-6656

Marine Technology Center, (360) 766-6282                            

On Wednesday May 29, 2019, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a regular School Board Meeting at 5:00 pm in the high school library.  This is an open public meeting.  

All public comment, with the exception of public hearings on policy, budget or other specific items, will be heard during the “Public Comment” section of the Call to Order of the regular meeting.  Anyone wishing to address the board on any topic will be scheduled to speak during the public comment period by the Administrative Assistant present at the board meeting.  Check in to be scheduled to speak will occur during the 15 minutes before the start of the meeting.     

Please see the agendas at https://www.boarddocs.com/wa/sjisd/Board.nsf/Public

The same day, Wednesday May 29, 2019, from 3:00 pm – 4:50 pm the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a Special Board Meeting, Executive Session only in accordance with RCW 42.30.110(g), to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee.  This meeting held at the school district office but will be closed to the public.

This is a quick look at the board agendas for your convenience.  Please be aware that the agendas could change prior to the board meeting.

Bert Chandler – Contributed photo

In the San Juan Update mailbag today, we have this very special note from Cheri Hancock…

My father, Bert Chandler, is one of the last remaining American D-Day heroes. He was in the first wave of boats to hit Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. (Army, 1st Division AKA the “Big Red One”, 16th Regiment).

Dad is one of the last survivors who actually came ashore on D-Day. He proceeded to fight through France and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Purple Heart along with other medals for his service. In 2016 he also received the French Legion of Honor.

This year, for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, my dad and I are returning to Normandy where he will be an honored guest at several events. He will return to Friday Harbor with me on June 11 and stay through Father’s Day. My dad is 97.

I just thought I’d let you know in case you think this would be of interest to our fellow islanders.

Cheri Hancock – Mineral Point

Thank you for your service Bert. And thanks also to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The Land Bank is proceeding with its efforts to take the next step in managing the farm and we wanted to keep you apprised of where things stand. Coffelt Farm Stewards has wound down operations and all animals have been relocated to other farms.

We do want to take this opportunity to thank the Board and staff of CFS, particularly in these last few months, for their dedication to the farm and professionalism under difficult circumstances.

Moving forward, we are envisioning a multi-step process as follows: Continue Reading

Switch it Up! puts thousands back in members’ pockets

OPALCO is now offering on-bill financing for members who want to Switch it Up! and install super-efficient ductless heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and electric vehicle chargers. These upgrades can cut energy spending in half for heating and transportation, compared to fossil fuels (propane, gasoline), saving thousands of dollars over the life of the project while reducing carbon emissions in our sensitive environment.

With no money down, members can make major improvements to their home or business that will create more comfort year-round and increase property value. In most cases, a member’s overall energy spending will be less each month – even while making finance payments on their power bill. Switch it Up! projects include:

1. Ductless Heat Pumps – Finance up to $15,000 for up to 10 years
2. Heat Pump Water Heater – Finance up to $3,500 for up to 5 years
3. EV Charger – Finance up to $2,500 for up to 3 years

Savings will vary by project but members who Switch it Up! from fossil fuels will see the greatest results. A ductless heat pump can cut heating bill spending in half and save thousands over the life of the project. Heat pump water heaters use 60% less energy and save an average of $300 per year – or nearly $4,000 over a typical life span (13 years). Continue Reading

Brandon Robert Eric Erickson – Contributed photo

Please come join us for the celebration of life for our beloved Son, Brother, Friend and Daddy, Brandon Robert Eric Erickson.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 1st at 11:00 at Valley Cemetery in Friday Harbor.

Celebration of Life will follow at San Juan Golf and Country Club, 806 Golf Course Road, Friday Harbor.

On Tuesday May 21st, 2019 a San Juan County visiting judge dismissed all causes of action against the Town of Friday Harbor and Duncan Wilson, the Town’s Administrator, brought by local attorney Carla Higginson on her own behalf and as attorney for A. John Wuebker.

The Judge left the case open for thirty days allowing the Town and Wilson to submit motions and briefing for attorney fees.

Judge Cindy Larsen of the Snohomish County Superior Court was assigned this case as a visiting judge. Higginson’s complaint stemmed from the Town’s Tucker Avenue Reconstruction Project. Higginson claimed that the Town was building sidewalks and other improvements on land she owned by adverse possession.

Higginson’s Temporary Restraining Order, acquired at the time of filing the Complaint, was later set aside by Judge Larsen. Larsen ordered damages in favor of the Town for construction delays in the amount of $28,151. Ms. Higginson has since appealed that order to the Court of Appeals where it remains pending.

Judge Larsen’s order dismissing the suit altogether was the result of a motion for summary judgment filed by the Town and Wilson, who claimed there was no genuine issue of material fact to go before a jury. “We are very glad to have this matter behind us” said Mayor Farhad Ghatan. “We never believed there was any validity to the claims being made by Plaintiffs”. The Town was represented by attorneys Eileen Keiffer of Issaquah and Amanda Butler of Seattle. A copy of the Judge’s Order is available here. (PDF)

L-R: Teacher Andy Anderson, Lucas Chevalier (Senior) and Soma Andrews (Junior), on the steps of the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Olympia – Contributed photo

Friday Harbor High School is proud to announce that two art students, Soma Andrews and Lucas Chevalier are State Winners of the 46th Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show.

Soma Andrews (Junior) and Lucas Chevalier (Senior) attended a reception in the state capital with their Teacher, Andy Anderson, where they received their “Judges Choice” awards on Friday May 17th, 2019 at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction OSPI) located in the Old Capitol Building in Olympia.

The Superintendent’s High School Art Show is an annual event co-hosted by OSPI and the Washington Art Education Association. High school students from all over the state participate in this artistic celebration each year.

Friday Harbor High School’s Art Teacher Andy Anderson received a letter from Anne Banks, OSPI’s Learning and Teaching Supervisor for the Arts: Continue Reading

Chary Caren from the SJ Community Home Trust shares this story with you…

On the morning of Saturday May 18th, 11 members of the Bellingham Bay Builders, a worker’s co-operative from Bellingham, arrived in Friday Harbor for their annual retreat, a yearly bonding experience, providing 1-1/2 days of work, donating their time, skills and expertise to help in the creation of affordable housing. This year they selected the San Juan Community Home Trust as their lucky targeted group and San Juan Island as their destination.

Bellingham Bay Builders was started in 2004 by four friends, Dave Brogan, Ross Grier, Tim Smith and Brian Forth, all of whom had had years of experience in building, woodworking and timber framing. Their installations have ranged from Bellingham to the San Juans to Japan accompanied by their tradition of fine craftsmanship, years of experience in building and rigorous project management. In 2006 they began to provide full service general contracting. Continue Reading

How Are We Doing? – A Storm is Coming – Maybe
First Quarter 2019

Milene Henley – Contributed photo

As a child, I loved storms. I loved the calm before the storm, when the air grew heavy and ripe with the smell of rain. I loved the thunder and lightning, and the sound of rain beating on the roof. Afterwards, I loved splashing in the water that pooled in the streets and up onto the sidewalks and yards. Storms brought chaos, and chaos was cool.

There’s a storm coming now, but it’s not the cool kind. In June, the current period of economic expansion in the United States will hit 10 years, tying for the longest ever. But booms don’t last forever, and this one has already begun to cloud over. Locally, there are signs that the real estate market is cooling. Sales in 2018 grew about 2% over 2019, compared to growth of 16% and 20% the previous two years. In the first quarter of 2019, sales were 25% lower than in the first quarter of 2018.

Real estate sales touch San Juan County government in the real estate excise taxes (REET) that fund the Land Bank, the County’s capital reserves, and the new Home Fund. REET has been growing at double-digit rates since 2014, including almost 12% in 2018. Revenue in 2019 was off to a slow start, though, reflecting the downtown in local real estate sales. Planning and permitting fees, which are similarly related to the economy, showed the same cooling, dropping in the first quarter of 2019 to their lowest point since 2013. Continue Reading