Dining for Scholars – Thursday, March 28

No cooking needed on Thursday March 28^th! Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at one of the participating restaurants for a great cause!

We are gearing up for our annual SJI Service Scholarship event ‘Dining for Scholars.  Please help us support the local restaurants that support our local scholarships by dining out at one of the participating restaurants on Thursday March 28^th. The more our community members dine out, the more funding for the SJI Service Scholarship recipients!

In case you don’t know about the SJI Service Scholarship program here’s a quick rundown…  This program allows local students to receive $1000 scholarship toward their future educational plans (trade school, tech school, 2-year school, 4-year school, etc) based ONLY on service to our community.

If in their high school career they contribute 80 hours toward approved community projects and programs they qualify for the scholarship. This is all about the community and students contributing, no grades are factored into qualifying. This is a win-win situation  For more specific details go to sjiservicescholarship.org

Thank you for your support!

Participating Restaurants:

• Blue Water Bar & Grill
• Cask & Schooner Public House & Restaurant
• China Pearl
• Golden Triangle
• Haley’s Sports Bar & Grill
• Lime Kiln Café
• Madrona Bar & Grill
• Riptide Café
• San Juan Bistro
• San Juan Island Brewing
• Spring Street Deli
• Sweet Retreat
• Tops’l Seafood Bar

Join us on April 6th for the SAFE San Juans’ third annual Safe on the Rocks 5k. This is in honor of April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

This well-lit fun run and walk will feature glow sticks, glow paint and a post-race event with music, snacks, and more. SAFE on the Rocks will have something fun for everyone. 

Race Staging starts at 7:00 pm at the San Juan County Fairgrounds, and the race starts at 7:45 p.m.

All racers will receive a swag bag, with a headlamp, which is required to wear, completion prize and other cool giveaways. Walkers are welcome. Day-of-registration is $15 for adults and $10 for Youth.

ORCAS RACE DATE- APRIL 13th

LOPEZ RACE DATE- APRIL 20th

For more information, contact the San Juan Island SAFE San Juans office at 360-378-8680 and register safesj.org

This two-part workshop, given by Katerina Wen, M.Ed., will focus on joint health.

Learn techniques to improve the suppleness and fluidity of your joints. Learn about the symbiosis between organ health and joint health.

Classes will be held Monday and Wednesday April 15^th and 17^th at Friday Harbor Holistic Health, 669 Mullis Street, #202 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.

There is an early fee of $44 which expires March 14^th and will be $49 thereafter. Sign up today!

For more information call 360-378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org.  

The Arcora Foundation – SmileMobile, a three chair mobile dental van which travels the state offering dental services to children, teens and pregnant women who might not otherwise have access to dental care, will be in Friday Harbor the week of April 8 – 12, and on Lopez Island the week of April 15-19, 2019.

The SmileMobile, is staffed with a clinic manager, dentist and dental assistant. It will be parked at San Juan Head Start – 97 Grover Street, Friday Harbor. On Lopez Island the van will be at Lopez Island Family Resource Center – 23 Pear Tree Lane.

The SmileMobile will provide dental examinations and treatment to children, teens and pregnant women. If you would like to make an appointment or have questions please call now: 1-(888) 286-9105.

The program accepts Apple Health (Medicaid) and uninsured.

The SmileMobile is operated by the Arcora Foundation, a non-profit organization funded by Delta Dental of Washington in partnership with Seattle Children’s Hospital.

The SmileMobile, which travels the state year-round providing services ranging from exams and preventive care to fillings and minor oral surgery, has examined and treated more than 44,000 families in communities throughout Washington State.

Effective April 1, 2019.

This important notice is directed to local Business Owners regarding the Town Business Licensing Program. New legislation has been passed that requires changes to the existing Town Business License Program.

Local business license renewals are typically due April 1st of each year. The expiration date for 2019 Friday Harbor business licenses has been extended until June in order for the Town to “go live” with new services provided through Washington State Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Services (BLS). As explained below, Town business licenses will be obtained together with State Licenses.

New business license applicants are asked to visit Town Hall and complete an application at no cost. The Town wants to know your contact information, location, type of business and other relevant information. Continue Reading

Island Rec is hosting our 8th annual Table Tennis Tournament for ages 14 and up.

We have some fun, new prizes this year from Mi Casita, House of Jerky, Ernie’s Cafe and more for singles and doubles brackets. Double elimination play.

Our early fee of $31 expires March 28th, $36 thereafter. $5 extra for playing both singles and doubles.

Event takes place April 7th, 10am- 4pm in Turnbull Gym. For more information or registration please visit www.islandrec.org, call 360-378-4953, or drop by the office at 580 Guard St.  Monday – Friday 11am-5 pm. 

Cynthia’s Bistro is offering free take-away meals to anyone who needs a meal or wishes to have a home cooked meal. No questions asked, just free food. Stop by Cynthia’s this Thursday – March 28th from 4:30 to 6:00 to pick up your meal.

You may pick up 2 meals per person. When we run out of food, we will close the doors until next time. We will be stationed on the front porch and handing out the meals at Cynthia’s Bistro – 65 Nichols Street in Friday Harbor.

Basic Home Cooking made with everything but the Kitchen Sink.

Come by and say hello. If you care to join us and donate time or money to the cause, feel free to contact Cynthia at Cynthia’s Bistro or email me at [email protected].

Hello Oakies! We’ve had a little respite, reformatted our team, and are ready to get back to those oak units! Joining us THIS SUNDAY are Kayla Seaforth and Carlton Burns, two of our phenomenal field assistants.

• When?
  March 31, 10:00am to 2:00pm
• RSVP required (e-mail here)
• Where?
  Meet at the base of Cady Mountain Preserve . Turn on to Cady Mountain Road off of West Valley Road. Meet at the triangle junction about 100 yards from West Valley. Carlton will be driving the Land Bank truck and will have room for Oakies to hop in back and catch a ride up the hill.
• What?
  Girdling, limbing and piling
• Bring/Wear?
  Hand Saws
  Weather appropriate clothing
  Water/Lunch

Next Scheduled Oak Team Work Parties:
June 23
Sept 15
Oct 27

Don’t forget – San Juan Island Garden Club invites you to celebrate spring with Ciscoe Morris – Great Plants for Rain Shadow Gardening.

Wednesday, April 3rd, at 7:00 pm at Brickworks.

Tickets are $15.00 and will be available March 18th at Browne’s Garden Center, Ace Hardware, Griffin Bay Books and Roche Harbor Store.

(proceeds fund garden club special projects such as the Town hanging baskets)

Today we have this letter from Gordon Fowler in the San Juan Update mailbag…

Mullis Center Denounces Pledge of Allegiance to American Flag.

The Mullis Center Operations Committee has decided to discontinue the practice of honoring the American Flag at the majority of Senior Lunches, served twice weekly, at the Mullis Center.

Recognition of the American Flag is a common thread across America, especially at a time when our country is so politically divided. The flag is a symbol of our heritage, and an honor to those who have served, and given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy.

Evidently, disrespectful individuals live amongst us, and tear apart at the fabric that has been the strength and unity of our culture.

Also, please note that the American Flag has not been flown on the Mullis Center flagpole for the past several years.

Patriotism is not a bad word!

Gordon Fowler  

San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce Featured Member of the Month: Sandstrom Law, PLLC

Thomas Sandstrom – Tim Dustrude photo

Thomas Sandstrom has been practicing law in Friday Harbor since 2009 when he joined the Law Office of Christon Skinner. During his tenure with Chris, Thomas and now Honorable Kathryn C. Loring managed the Friday Harbor clientele until 2016 when Chris decided it was time to focus on his Oak Harbor practice.

Thomas and Kathryn purchased Chris’ Friday Harbor practice and immediately joined forces with Peter Goddu and Margaret Langlie, who had moved to the island having purchased retired Superior Court Judge Donald Eaton’s practice when he was appointed to the Superior Court. The newly formed practice was Goddu Langlie Loring Sandstrom, PLLC.

Kathryn C. Loring was appointed to the Superior Court in January of 2018 by Governor Inslee, after which the firm changed to Goddu Langlie Sandstrom, PLLC. At Peter and Margaret’s retirement effective January 2019, Thomas retained the practice and has changed the name to Sandstrom Law, PLLC. Continue Reading

If you are an academically motivated high school junior or senior, Running Start may be of interest to you and your family!

The Running Start program at Skagit Valley College/San Juan Center offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take college level courses to earn dual credit toward both your high school diploma and college degree—without paying tuition!

The San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College will host two separate Running Start information nights for interested students and parents on Tuesday, April 2, from 6-6:30pm & Wednesday, May 1 from 6-6:30pm. Both information nights will be held at the San Juan Center of SVC (located near the Friday Harbor Airport terminal).

Learn how the Running Start program works; what classes are available; registration and intake process; and how the program may or may not be a fit you and your family. SVC staff will be available after the session to discuss individual questions.

Cost is free and refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP by phone 360-378-3220 or email [email protected].

If you are looking for a fun and screen-free way to occupy some of your 3-6 year old’s time this coming spring break, look no further than Mindful Minis!

This exciting new program encourages physical and emotional awareness through activities like animal poses, belly breathing, and acting out the weather. Kids will ‘get their energy out’ and leave each day with a sense of calm.

It will run from 12-1pm at the elementary school gym April 8-11, and costs $13 before April 1^st, $18 thereafter.

For more information call 378-4953, visit www.islandrec.org, or the Island Rec office on Guard Street  

San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 will be having its Regular Board Meeting on Wednesday March 27th at the Frank Wilson Memorial EMS Building.

It will begin at 1:00 p.m.

You might want to be aware of some road maintenance coming up. Here’s more from WSDOT:

EXPECT DELAYS: Deception Pass rockslide cleanup next week

If you’ve driven across Deception Pass bridge recently, you’ve likely seen the remnants from a small rockslide from a few weeks ago on the side of SR 20.

On Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28, our maintenance crews will clean up those rocks and repair a log guardrail.

In order to do this work safely, crews will need to close a direction of SR 20 during the morning commute with flaggers alternating traffic through the one open lane. Since there is no detour around this work, commuters should prepare for long delays on or off Whidbey Island.

Consider getting on the road before sunrise or after the peak travel times to avoid the height of the congestion, and keep posted on traffic conditions on the @wsdot_north Twitter account.

Double lane closures continue on I-5 through Skagit

Crews working on the I-5 paving and concrete rehab project will resume their double lane reductions in the northbound direction next week.

They will also need to close all the off-ramps between Starbird Road and the Stillaguamish River Bridge overnight, Monday through Wednesday, for pavement repair work. Don’t worry though…they will only close one ramp at a time and each closure will only last two to four hours.

Signed detours will also be up.

Check our I-5 construction update page for updated closure information.

On Wednesday March 27, 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 agenda at https://www.boarddocs.com/wa/sjisd/Board.nsf/Public

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