Just a few of the participants at a recent Children’s Festival – Tim Dustrude photo

Mark your calendars, folks! San Juan Island’s 29^th Annual Children’s Festival is happening Saturday, May 4th, 2019! We are pleased to announce….

I am Super

Island Rec needs your help to design the poster for this year’s Children’s Festival! Kids of all ages are invited to submit poster designs that incorporate this year’s festival theme. We aim to empower children to see the incredible and heroic abilities we all have inside of us. We very much look forward to seeing how you incorporate I Am Super into your artwork.

Artworks must be submitted on an official entry form which can be obtained at Island Rec’s office or at the Elementary School. Poster designs must be returned to Island Rec, 580 Guard Street, by 5:00 pm Wednesday March 26 to be considered by our contest judges.

In addition to the honor and title of “Official Poster Designer”, there will be 1 first prize and 3 runner up prizes given for the committee’s top choices in poster design. Enter for a chance to win!

Inquiries, volunteers, and activity ideas should be directed to Lili Lyne, [email protected]. As always, the Children’s Festival will run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Fairgrounds building.

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

Etta Lightheart Egeland, lover of hats, at age 17 and 102 – Photos courtesy of SJ Historical Society

Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum…

“It’s always a good day!” – Etta Lightheart Egeland, on any given day of her life in response to “Have a good day!”

This is National Women’s History Month, designated by Congress in 1987. Who better to feature this month for women’s roles in island history than Etta Egeland? She was the godmother and engine of San Juan Island historic preservation for nearly all of her 105 years. Etta’s recollection, documentation, and interpretation of island life were singularly and collectively notable and unparalleled. We think someone should design a superhero action figure of her.

Etta Elizabeth Lightheart was born November 10, 1896 in a log cabin at Straitsview, her grandfather Peter Lawson’s farm on the west side of the island. She was the only daughter of Alexander Lightheart and Annie Lawson Lightheart. Her earliest memories were of being at her grandmother Fanny Lawson’s funeral in 1900 at Valley Cemetery and then later as an older child witnessing a dispute between her aunt and Roche Harbor’s iron-handed John S. McMillin over her aunt’s right to cast her ballot for the party she wished in an election.

Glancing through old issues of the Journal newspaper, one can find many interesting mentions of Etta’s activities, such as these: Continue Reading

Cynthia’s  Kitchen Sink Dinners – Feed the Island

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 7th 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 at [email protected].

In Eastsound on February 26^th nearly 30 people from a range of backgrounds and skillsets gathered for the second monthly meeting of the 2019 Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA) Action Team. This group of interested volunteers has been working tirelessly since the beginning of the year in an effort to revitalize IOSA’s ability to respond to both large and small marine pollution events.

Over the last 30 years, literally hundreds of dedicated individuals have given their time to build and support IOSA, including founder Julie Knight and long time staff members Jackie Wolf and Robyn Albro. IOSA is a nationally recognized grass roots organization, built from the ground up and with a remarkable record of providing professional spill response in the San Juan Islands and beyond.

When recent challenges required IOSA to step back from its ability to provide 24/7 coverage, an opportunity arose to pause, take a close look at IOSA’s mission and structure, and put in the work to build a foundation that will see the organization through for many decades to come. This is the work of the 2019 IOSA Action Team. Continue Reading

Tim Revercomb and Cowboy – Contributed photo

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor has announced that Tim Revercomb is the Volunteer of the Month for March.

Tim became a volunteer at the animal shelter at the beginning of the year and has been a wonderful addition to the organization. He visits the shelter three times a week to walk dogs and has also been known to wash windows and help with cleaning.

The staff and board of directors at APS-FH sincerely appreciate your help, Tim!

Please join us for a reading with Christopher Phillips on March 21st at the Spring Street International School Studio from 6-8 pm

Spring Street International School is hosting a reading for Christopher Phillips, author of Socrates Café, Socrates in Love, A Child at Heart, and others.

Christopher has worked with adolescents, adults, prisoners, and terminally ill children to name just a few groups. He is both humble and gifted at facilitating socratic dialogues on current questions. From Greece, to Mexico City, to closer to home here, he builds bridges where others have built walls.

For more information about Christopher please visit: https://christopherphillips.com/

Please email us with any questions, and we hope to see you at the event. If you plan to attend, please let us know. We would like to get a rough estimate of the number of guests we will have.

Dragons! Certified Qigong Instructor Stephanie Prima will teach the 5 Dragons Qigong form on Tuesdays, 12:00 noon at Island Soul Studio (formerly XYZ Movement Arts) from March 3^rd through April 30^th.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese mind/body technique to enhance the body’s bio-energy system for greater health, vitality, and self-awareness. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of power, strength and good luck. Metaphysically, the Dragon works with the power of the spirit, healing and divine connection.

The 5 Dragons Qigong form is especially physical, offering strength and balance training intertwined in the energetic and spiritual forms. This is an engaging practice to calm the mind, increase vitality, and enhance focused attention. The gentle, rhythmic movements are similar to Tai Chi but done in place, making it an excellent home practice, especially in small spaces. Continue Reading

The Port of Friday Harbor Commissioners will attend the Friday Harbor Airport Master Plan Planning Advisory Committee meeting and Public Information Workshop on Tuesday, March 5th at Skagit Valley College San Juan Center upper level classroom.

The Planning Advisory Committee meeting will run from 2:00pm to 3:30pm, and the Public Information Workshop will run from 4:00pm to 5:30pm.

Established contemporary gallery located in Friday Harbor seeks part time sales associate

The staffer should be congenial, stylish, have excellent people skills, a strong sales background, a curious mind, the ability to listen and work with clients on the acquisitions of artwork or jewelry and have an active interest in contemporary design, jewelry and/or art. 

The gallery is well known and thought of in a positive manner and is looking to add to another part timer to its current staff. The position is for 1 to 2 days a week. Hourly wage and commission. 

Gallery is seasonally open (8 months) and showcases artists from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia with 4 major artist openings including a curated contemporary jewelry show mid summer.

Send a letter of interest and a CV via email to [email protected] or via snail mail to WaterWorks Gallery PO Box 28, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

For further info contact [email protected].

The FHHS Seniors vs Staff basketball game is on! Tip off for the annual GRAD NIGHT fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, March 8th at 6pm. Doors open at 5pm at Turnbull Gym for pre-game dinner and silent dessert auction.

Throughout the evening, this entertaining event affords many fun opportunities for community members to support the FHHS PTSA as they continue the grad night tradition designed to keep our graduating seniors safe on graduation night.

The evening begins at 5pm with Andy Urbach’s famous pulled pork sandwiches, chips and a beverage – all for only $10! At this time (and throughout the evening) attendees will be able to bid on gourmet desserts provided by local favorites, as well as buy “arrest warrants” to put the (least) favorite friend or family member in the court side jail. Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Film Festival Winter Series – Best of the Fest – Tuesday, March 5th at the Grange at 7:00 pm

A River’s Last Chance: A Story of Salmon, Timber, Weed and Wine along the Mighty Eel River – the award winning film about saving our Salmon and rivers.

The Eel River in Northern California is arguably the best opportunity for wild salmon recovery on the entire west coast. The river and salmon have weathered decades of over fishing, abusive logging, catastrophic floods and droughts, a hydro power dam that diverts water out of basin…

Today the Eel River’s recovering wild salmon compete for water with the region’s underground multi-billion dollar cannabis economy and the multi-billion dollar wine industries of Sonoma and Mendocino.

This film is rooted in the belief that we can live symbiotically with our watersheds and encourage both a river’s recovery and an economic future.

The Friday Harbor Film Festival is proud to present this film with so much local impact!

Admission is FREE – Donations welcome.

Ghostfish Brewing Partners with Orca Protection & Rescue to Release Limited Killer Ale IPA – Launch Party March 9th

Seattle, WA – Ghostfish Brewing is set to launch Killer Ale IPA on March 9, 2019, a bold and distinctly Northwest influenced India Pale Ale brewed to benefit Washington-based Orca Protection & Rescue.

Founded in 2018 by Captain Hobbes Buchanan, Orca Protection & Rescue (OPR) is dedicated to the protection and rescue of all marine wildlife in the Salish Sea, by reducing private and commercial vessel harassment, assisting with strandings and entanglements, and removing ghost fishing gear, marine debris and plastics.

“I met Captain Hobbes while I was a passenger on his whale watch tour boat last summer,” stated Ghostfish Co-Owner Brian Thiel. “What I learned about the Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) that day from Captain Hobbes left me pondering what I could do to help improve their survival.”

After learning that Brian was an owner of Seattle-based Ghostfish Brewing, Captain Hobbes contacted Mr. Thiel a few days after their initial acquaintance. He shared more about OPR and what the organization was doing to help save the whales and wildlife in the Salish Sea. Continue Reading

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

Well. Since you asked, those pants actually do make your butt look big. I’m just being honest.

My name is Berry and I believe there are two types of people in the world: Those who like cats, and morons. If you fall into the first category, we should meet.

I’m here at the animal shelter… let’s meet soon.

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
994 Cattle Point Road
(360) 378-2158

Merri Ann Simonson checks in with another in her San Juan Island Lifestyle video series. This one, she says, shares fishing in the Friday Harbor Classic Derby; freezing temperatures, wind, the rough water – so much fun!

Here’s an invitation for you from Liz at the high school…

We’re celebrating the onset on Spring with an awesome Community Dinner BBQ!

It’s still too cold to eat outside, so join us in the FHHS Commons on March 13^th from 5:30 -7:30.

Meal Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for kids under 12.

Proceeds support the Food for Thought Lunch Program and The Chef.0 Student Internships.

THE BBQ MENU:

• BBQ Chicken – oven-roasted chicken legs and thighs served in housemade BBQ sauce
• Pulled Pork Slider – smoky shredded pork shoulder served with a housemade white roll
• Classic Cole Slaw – crunchy cabbage & carrots in a classic creamy dressing
• Baked Beans – slow-cooked with bacon and brown sugar
• Cornbread – served with honey-butter
• Caesar Salad – crisp romaine lettuce with croutons & parmesan
• Lemonade Stand – refreshingly sweet and tart!
• Strawberry Shortcake – sweet cream biscuit with berries and whipped cream by Ms. Varvaro’s Baking Class

Hope to see you there!

A scene from the 2017 bowl – Contributed photo

The 25^th silver anniversary of the Knowledge Bowl will be held on March 4 at 6:30 pm at the San Juan Community Theatre.  “This is a fun event for the entire community.  We celebrate knowledge,” said Karen Meenan, a Director of the San Juan Public Schools Foundation, who is sponsoring the event. 

A cross between Jeopardy and the old college quiz bowls, teams compete to answer questions on geography, history, pop culture, local fare, and more. 

This year there are eight competing teams, which include Friday Harbor 8^th graders, combined teams of 9^th and 10^th, and 11^th and 12^th grades from Friday Harbor High School, a team from Spring Street International School, and teams from the Soroptimists, Rotary Club, Lions, and Kiwanis. 

The program consists of two rounds of questions.  “The audience loves testing their own knowledge against the teams.  The evening is filled with laughter and ah-ha moments,” Meenan said. 

Brent Snow will serve as Master of Ceremonies, and the High School Jazz Band will provide musical entertainment.  The High School PTA is sponsoring a bake sale and refreshments during intermission.  There will be a raffle with several prizes, including a getaway to Roche Harbor with accommodations and dinner.

“Come root for your favorite team.  This is a community event for all ages,” Meenan said.  Admission is $5 or whatever you can pay. Doors open at 6:15.