Protect What You Love: Southern Resident Orca Presentations and Community Discussions

Friends of the San Juans will explore the plight of the Southern Resident orcas and engage the community in actions that can help their recovery.

• Orcas Island – Thursday, March 14, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Orcas Senior Center, 62 Henry Rd.
• Lopez Island – Tuesday, March 19, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Woodmen Hall, 4102 Fisherman Bay Rd.
• San Juan Island – Wednesday, March 20, 12-1:30 p.m., San Juan Island Grange Hall, 152 First Street N.

Find out what the Southern Resident orcas need to survive and thrive including how San Juan County shorelines contribute to orca health; how many Chinook salmon are needed to support the population; how the Snake, Frasier, Columbia, Skagit and other river systems impact the orca; and the current status of state and federal legislation that would protect and recover Southern Resident orcas. Find out how to make your voice heard and how you can help protect and recover the Southern Resident orcas.

The featured speakers include Lovel Pratt, Friends of the San Juans’ Marine Protection Program Director, and Dr. Deborah Giles, Research Scientist for the University of Washington Center for Conservation Biology and Research Director for Wild Orca.

Since 1979, Friends of the San Juans has used science and policy to protect and preserve the San Juan Islands and Salish Sea for people and nature. Visit sanjuans.org for more information.

Chance and Andy – Contributed photo

Chance Hayden and Andy Coe, two front running string slingers of the Pacific Northwest, join forces with an electric guitar band showcasing the depths of their talent and mutual admiration.

For over a decade both players have made vast imprints within their respective cities of Portland and Seattle as avid sidemen embracing everything from jazz, blues and funk to reggae, psychedelic rock and jam bands.

Their individual projects as leaders have further displayed a chameleon-like musicality, through their fluid guitar work and eclectic compositions, which they’ll expound together. Completing the unit are bassist Damian Erskine and drummer Tarik Abouzied who have become a well-oiled machine as the rhythm section behind Skerik, Happy Orchestra and Paul Creighton Project.

Continue Reading

San Juan County Fire District #3 Fire Board of Commissioners will have a Master Planning Workshop on Tuesday, March 5th from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mullis Street Fire Station, 1011 Mullis Street.

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

If you are fortunate enough to live in San Juan County and looking for a job, San Juan County there are employers eager to talk to you.

For those of you who are looking for work, mark your calendars and dust off your resume. On Sunday, April 14 the Career Center will sponsor a JOB FAIR from 1:00PM to 4:00PM.

Jobs offered will be both full time, year-round and seasonal jobs. If you are a job seeker and need advice on your resume contact the Career Center at 360 378-4662.

Employers who want to reserve a table at the Job Fair can call now to reserve a table as space is limited.

On Tuesday, February 26, 2019 San Juan Island Fire and Rescue crews responded to two separate fires in residences on San Juan Island.

The first fire was reported at a single-story home at 5:40 a.m. near Roche Harbor. The residents and their pets were able to quickly evacuate the home. Firefighter’s rapid response helped limit the spread of the fire, although there was significant damage to one room.

The second fire was reported at 5:25 p.m. in a home off of Roche Harbor Road. The home was unoccupied at the time and unfortunately was destroyed. More than 20 fire personnel responded to the scene in four engines, one rescue truck and two tenders to provide water supply. Additional assistance was provided on the scene by the department’s logistics team, along with San Juan Island EMS and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department.

San Juan Island Fire Chief Norvin Collins said, “Yesterday was a rare and sad day on San Juan Island as there were two separate house fires within 12 hours of each other. While one home was destroyed and the other suffered damage, all residents were safe and no one was injured in either fire.”

“We are grateful to our partners at San Juan County Sheriff and San Juan EMS for their assistance, and always for the support of our community.”

# # #

The San Juan Island Fire & Rescue was established on October 6, 1958. The fire department covers about 55 square miles, includes all of San Juan Island, as well as Brown and Pearl Islands. For more information, please visit http://www.sjifire.org/

The Baltic Sea Diet Pyramid – Finnish Heart Association, Finnish Diabetes Association and University of Eastern Finland.

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

If sourdough rye, pickled herring, Icelandic yogurt with blueberries, or sugar snap peas and garlic potatoes sound good to you, you may find the Nordic diet a satisfying choice. Similar to the Mediterranean diet but focused on a Scandinavian lifestyle this diet has similar health advantages.

Last month I wrote about the Mediterranean diet having learned about it by taking the free online course, Understanding Different Diets: Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, and Okinawa. All three diets relate to both the geography and the culture of a region in the world where people are known for their hearty longevity. Today let’s look at the Nordic diet.

The Nordic, or Baltic Sea diet was developed in 2004 by Danish nutritionists, scientists and chefs in an effort to decrease growing obesity rates, address unsustainable farming practices, and reduce food waste in Nordic countries. Similar to the Mediterranean diet it is primarily plant based, low in saturated fat and high in antioxidants and fiber. Both diets are associated with lower incidence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Continue Reading

The upcoming Friday Harbor Bike Fest is the third annual bike ride sponsored by the San Juan Lions Club. In the past this event was known as the Friday Harbor Bike-n-Brew.

This year’s event is being held on June 1^st to coincide with the 30^th annual San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour. There will be numerous ride options, a 12-mile ride, a 20-mile ride, and a metric century.

Other choices include the option to take in the San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour (approximately 37 miles) by biking from studio to studio or just choosing your own course on our beautiful island backroads.

The fee for the rides has been simplified; $50.00 for a single rider, $80.00 for a couple, and $100.00 for families (immediate). Continue Reading

Garry Oak woodland – Mike Vouri photo

Garry Oak Prairie: A Unique Habitat (Lecture Series)

What are Garry Oaks and how do Garry Oak habitats support the ecology of the San Juan Islands and the Pacific Northwest?

Join experts from San Juan Island and beyond March 8,15, 22 and 29 at the San Juan Island Grange to learn about the history of Garry Oaks in the Pacific Northwest, their extraordinary ecological significance in the San Juans, and steps the steps you can take to promote Garry Oak habitat in your very own backyard!.

Sarah Hamman of the Center for National Lands Management will begin the lecture series speaking on what drives conservation of the unique prairie-oak communities of the Pacific Northwest.

SJC Land Bank San Juan Island Preserve Steward, Doug McCutchen will then host a tour the following day (March 9, 1-4pm) showcasing various locations around San Juan Island that are home to some of the most beautiful Garry Oak habitats

Kathleen Foley of the San Juan Preservation Trust, along with Ruth Milner of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will then lead a discussion regarding the important wildlife that Garry Oak habitats encourage. Continue Reading

Adam Summers – The Sea: Inspiration for Art and Science

Dr. Adam Summers, who runs the Comparative Vertebrate Biomechanics Lab at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, will present a naturalist’s opinion on nature as a source of inspiration for art and science.  

• Monday, March 4 at 7 pm
• San Juan Island Library
• Free

Refreshments will be served courtesy of the Friends of the Library and the San Juan Island Trails Committee.  

Dear Editor,

This year Friends of the San Juans celebrates 40 years of protecting and restoring the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea for people and nature.

Over the next few months our members will be sharing their memories about the role Friends has played to protect what they love about the islands. These stories will shed light on the personal impact and insight from members combined with the outcome of our work. We hope you will enjoy learning more about our members and Friends through the narratives to come. Please feel free to tell us your stories too – what inspires you to protect what you love? Email Michel at sanjuans.org

Join us this year as we celebrate achievements and build our endowment to ensure that Friends can continue to promote healthy seas, natural shorelines, and thriving communities for the next 40 years.

Sincerely,

Michel Vekved
Director of Philanthropy, Friends of the San Juans

The Rotary Club will hold its 14th Annual Spelling Bee on Thursday, March 7th at 3:30 PM at the San Juan Community Theater. Doors open at 3:00 PM.

This year’s spellers include students from Friday Harbor Elementary School, Friday Harbor Middle School, and Paideia Classical School. All island schools were invited to participate.

The contest is open to 4th through 8th graders. First place winner will receive a trophy and a check for $100. In addition, a check for $200 will be awarded to winner’s class, and $300 to their school. Second place winner will receive a trophy and a check for $75. Their CLASS will receive $150 and school $200. All students will receive a medal in appreciation for their participation.

Rotarians Mary Sliger and Carla Wright will serve as judges. Rotary Interact Club members will be greeters. Rotarian Bob Jarman will be the emcee and calmer of nerves. Rotarian Cyndy Gislason will be awarding participant medals. Carol Linde will be pronouncer.

Planning a Garden this Summer – We are planning a party just for you!

Join the San Juan Island Garden Club members in sharing stories, problems, research, advice, questions, failures, triumphs and laughter during our GARDEN FEVER PARTY! There will be raffles, “flower bingo”, speakers, sweet pea starts and what all. Browse seed and nursery catalogs and gardening magazines for new ideas.

Bring your extra garden “stuff”, books, plants, seeds and gardening what-have-you to pass along to others free of charge. Join us for hot soup, fresh bread, coffee and tea. Purchase a raffle ticket (2 for $1) the thing not free during the day.

• March 5, 2019 at the Mullis Community Center
• Open house 10:30 AM to 3:00PM

Watch for updates on the SJI Garden Club website.
Meetings, Classes and Excursions are open to everyone.

The Joy of Gardening is Sharing

Gift Machine band – photo by Jens Ochlich

Psych-pop defenders The Gift Machine are playing a show supporting their new record New Tangles (out via PIAPTK) at Herb’s Tavern at 8:00 pm on March 2^nd.

PIAPTK is their record label who is based out of Tucson, AZ and was originally founded in Olympia. It stands for People in a Position to Know. They specialize in creating hand cut vinyl records using vintage record lathes.

Here’s some praise for the band from a couple of media outlets:

“The gift machine recalls a lo-fi Beatles or Velvet Underground in a laid-back mood. Dreamy stuff.” – KEXP

“Husband and wife co-vocalists Dave and Andrea Matthies are producing some of the best indie rock I’ve heard in a while.” – San Diego City Beat – #5 Album Of 2018

Don’t forget — it’s award season here in the San Juans! The Oscars have nothing on the Finnies. Know someone who deserves to walk the stewardship red carpet? Nominate them for a Good Steward Award!

Since 2008, the Good Steward Awards, affectionately known as “Finnies,” have been sponsored by the Stewardship Network of the San Juans in recognition of individuals, families, teachers, students and businesses who are not conservation professionals and who have shown a long-term commitment to preserving the land and sea of the San Juan Islands archipelago in their daily lives. 

Award recipients will be presented with large ceramic “Finnies,” handcrafted fish-shaped creations. Award presentations will be in September, as the islands celebrate National Public Lands Day.

To nominate a person or business, visit stewardshipsanjuans.org/nominate-a-good-steward/  Nominations are due on Friday, March 8th. Questions? Email the Finnie Committee at [email protected]

The Town of Friday Harbor has authorized construction to begin for the Argyle Avenue Sidewalk Widening Project.

The Town has contracted with MEM Enterprises to perform the work. The Contractor will install new widened sidewalk on Argyle Avenue between Spruce Street and Rose Lane; and new ADA compliant crosswalk from Rose Lane to the SJC Fairgrounds.

Beginning Monday, February 25, 2019, the Contractor has been noticed to proceed as soon as weather and temperatures permit. Construction is estimated to last 15 working days from the time installation begins.

Notice to residents and travelers:

• Local access to homes will be maintained at all times.
• Appropriate flagging and signage will be on site during construction.
• No utility service interruptions are expected during construction.
• No on-street parking will be allowed in the construction zone during work hours. Vehicles not moved risk being towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.

An on-site project manager will be available to address any questions or concerns as they arise.

The Town would like to thank residents for their participation and cooperation during construction.

English Camp at Rest – John Miller photo

John Miller shares this view of English Camp taken on Saturday morning just when the sun broke through the clouds.

Thanks John!