Lynn Bahrych – Contributed photo

Environmental attorney Lynn Bahrych of Shaw Island has joined the board of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) in Friday Harbor.

Impressed by how SJIMA’s exhibitions have reflected sensitivity to the issues and values of conservation in the Pacific Northwest, Bahrych was motivated to work with the art museum.

She works in maritime, land use and natural resource conservation law. Also, Bahrych, with Marjorie Rombauer, is the author of Legal Writing In A Nutshell.

Lynn was educated at Stanford University (B.A), the University of Texas (M.A.) and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Washington. She then went on to earn her law degree from the University of Washington School of Law.

Bahrych has also served on the Washington Law Review and as a Proctor in Admiralty for the Maritime Law Association.

Coming from a family that placed a high value on the arts, Lynn has always enjoyed her own collection. As a memorial to her brother, Lawrence Frank Bahrych, an artist of some renown, Lynn is sponsoring a two week Summer Artist Residency on Shaw Island. The residency is for 8 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students and two instructors and runs from July 7 until July 21, 2019

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

Hello there. I am Lyla. I am Siamese if you please. Actually, I am Siamese, even if you don’t please.

I’m in need of a new butler or maid and will be interviewing applicants over the coming weeks. If you are in a position to worship me as the goddess I am and don’t mind working days, nights and weekends to insure my happiness and comfort, I would be most interested in scrutinizing you.

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

San Juan Island Park and Recreation District (Island Rec) is seeking a dynamic, organized recreation professional to fill a fulltime/seasonal position as the Director for Camp Eagle Rock, a summer day camp.

This position begins in April working part-time planning and preparing for camp. Beginning June 17 and for 9 weeks thereafter working 40 hours per week. The position is responsible for all aspects of camp, including program development and supervision of staff and campers. It requires a person with related experience who is responsible and mature, who can make sound decisions and problem solve independently. Pay ranges from $24-$26 per hour depending on experience.

A complete job description and application can be found on www.islandrec.org/employment Interested persons should submit a letter of interest, resume and completed Island Rec job application by 5pm on March 14 to Morgan Johnston, Recreation Manager, Island Rec, P.O. Box 1946, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

San Juan County Public Hospital Board No. 1 will be holding its February Regular Board Meeting next Wednesday the 27th at 2:00 p.m., at Frank Wilson Memorial EMS Building (1079 Spring Street).

Note that the meeting times for all Regular Board Meetings will be held at 2:00 p.m. until April, or at 1:00 p.m. in the event of a work session. This is to accommodate an ongoing EMT training class held on Wednesdays but ending in April. 

Photo Credit: Pexels

This guest post was written by Neil Stawski…

If you are looking to live a greener life, there’s no better place to start than your home. This is why it’s important for home buyers to be on the lookout for features that can help lessen their impact on the environment. Not sure what those features are? Keep reading for smart tips to help you select a home with the smallest carbon footprint.

Focus on Energy Efficient Home Features
The weather in Western Washington tends to be fairly mild, but a quality heating and cooling system is still important to keep your home cozy. However, keep in mind that those systems can account for 75 percent or more of your household energy usage. Opting for a more efficient HVAC system is one of the most basic ways to ensure your new home is eco-friendly. If you find the perfect home but need an updated cooling and heating system, you can use an online green home guide, such as this one from HomeAdvisor, to find professionals in your area.

In addition to the HVAC system, pay special attention to the windows in potential new homes. Older windows can make it more difficult for a home to hold in cool or warm air. This means those homes take more energy to heat and cool, which can lead to higher costs.

Look at Homes with Greener Landscaping Continue Reading

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

The same day, Wednesday February 27, 2019, from 3:30 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 will be closed to the public.

“Queen” a photo by Danielle Dean

Alchemy Art Center is enrolling for the first in a series of classes exploring the exciting and versatile art form of darkroom photography.  

Complete Introduction to Black and White Photography is a comprehensive course taught by world class photographer and educator Danielle Dean, and will cover everything from camera function to lighting to darkroom printing.  

Slideshow lectures and films will expose students to contemporary and historical artists who exemplify creative and groundbreaking approaches to B&W Photography.  Critiques will emphasize final print quality and the ability to think and speak critically about the student’s work and the work of others. The goal of the course is to provide a strong technical and conceptual foundation in B&W Photography.  

This 9 week course begins March 18th, running every Monday from 6:00pm-9:00pm at Alchemy Art Center.  To see the complete class description, or to register, please visit our class page at www.alchemyartcenter.com/classes.

Danielle Dean – Contributed photo

Danielle Dean is an artist, educator and curator based on San Juan Island in Washington State. She recently completed a Master of Fine Arts in Photography at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her work is included in public and private collections and has been exhibited throughout the country.  She was recently awarded the Blue Sky Gallery’s 2018 Artist Residency at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology and named a finalist for the 2018 LensCulture International Art Photography Awards. Her work is represented by Gallery BOM in Boston, Massachusetts.

Alchemy Art Center, founded by Maria Michaelson and Eben Shay in 2017, is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to creating a thriving arts community on San Juan Island.

For more information about Alchemy, visit our website at www.alchemyartcenter.com

Photo courtesy of San Juan Island Fitness

Story by Orcas Swim Team

San Juan Island’s Orcas Swim Team hosted a group of swimmers from the Thunderbird Aquatic Team of Anacortes on Saturday, Feb. 16 during the home club’s last meet of the season. More than 50 swimmers, ranging in ages from 6-13, participated in the event.

“The primary purpose [of the meet] was to give the kids some exposure and experience swimming against others clubs,” said Tim Collins, the Orcas Swim Team head coach of seven years.

The local club hosts “friendly meets,” as Collins calls them, and scores are not kept.

“The main thing we focus on is swimmers achieving their personal best times,” he said.

Breakout athletes from the meet included 12-year-old Elian Bayas in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:08.09; 9-year-old Parker Aylward in the 50-yard backstroke with a time of 49.37; 9-year-old Lexi Gummerman in the 50-yard backstroke with a time of 51.13; 10-year-old Chelci Pitman in the 50-yard butterfly with a time of 51.13; 8-year-old Sabine Bayas in the 50-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:05.66; 7-year-old Olsen Schoultz in the 50-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:15.21; 10-year-old Grayson Matthews in the 50-yard breaststroke with a time of 52.15; and 10-year old Macy Muir in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 38.75. Continue Reading

Tickets are on sale now for Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor’s 21st annual St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza to be held on Saturday, March 16 at the Mullis Center. Enjoy a cash bar, appetizers, and musical entertainment starting at 5 p.m, while you preview the exciting silent auction items donated by generous area patrons.

Dinner will be served by our very own leprechaun, Becki Day. A traditional Irish buffet of corned beef and cabbage, as well as savory vegetarian options, will be served at 6 pm, followed by a most decadently delicious dessert dash and live auction hosted by Farhad Ghatan.

This popular event is the largest annual fundraiser for Soroptimist. The Extravaganza raises money to support the Women’s Emergency Fund, education grants and scholarships, the Cancer Treatment Transportation Fund, plus other community programs such as matching dollars for WIC recipients to use at the Farmer’s Market. Continue Reading

There is a parent meeting coming up for folks interested in scouting. Eric Stone says to contact him (at the address below) for more information on the meeting to be held on March 20th at 6:30 pm

Boy Scouts of America, has made several radical changes. Scouting (BSA) as it is now called, has changed from a program only for boys to one for that includes both boys and girls. In San Juan County, there are currently two active programs, Troop 4090 (ages 10-18) and Sea Scout Ship 4013 (14-21).  A new Cub Scout Pack is currently being planned (ages 7-11). 

For those unfamiliar with the Scouting program, it provides training and character building in: Leadership, Outdoors, First Aid, Camping, Home Repairs, Hiking and much much more. 

Sea Scouting includes all of these but also helps your son/daughter towards a career in the maritime industries.

If you are interested in learning more about any of these programs, please contact the Scouting Unit Commissioner, Eric Stone at: [email protected]

The 2019 San Juan County “Point-In Time” (PIT) Homeless Count identified 149 people who have no stable place to live, an increase from the 2018 count of 120 but similar to the 2017 count of 154.

Of the 149 people identified as having no stable place to live, 67 people were living out of doors, in vehicles, in abandoned buildings, or in an RV or boat that lacked one of the following: drinking water, a restroom, heat, the ability to cook food, or the ability to bathe. The remaining 82 were at risk of homelessness, in temporary, unstable living arrangements, often with friends or family. In 2018, the count found 57 people homeless and 63 at risk of homelessness. The 2017 count found 96 homeless and 58 at risk of homelessness.

The first San Juan County count, conducted in 2005 counted 21 homeless or at risk of homelessness. The numbers have varied with an overall upward trend since then. The state mandated count was conducted on Thursday, January 24, 2019. The count was initiated by the State of Washington in 2005 (RCW43.185C). The Washington State Department of Commerce oversees the count statewide. Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Are You Considering Selling Your Property?

You may want to consider researching, collecting and completing the items detailed below.

This is not a check list for planting flowers on your porch and painting your front door, you can go to the internet for that information. This list is to prepare sellers in San Juan County for marketing their property. The issues below are for regulatory compliance and contract performance. Attention to these issues will prove beneficial and would be worth the effort during the marketing and transaction management of your property sale.

As your agent, I will assist with the process of gathering and helping you arrange for the various services. That is what good agents do.

This list will not apply to all properties and it is not meant to be all encompassing. The topics are in alphabetical order for your convenience.

Single Family Residence

“As Is” Sale
Washington is a due diligence state with the buyer able to process the suitability of the property with no risk to their deposit if their contract has contingencies. Some property owners believe by writing in “as is” on the contract that they are excused from making repairs and/or disclosing information about the property and buyer recourse. The statement indicates to the buyer that the seller has no intention of making repairs but the buyer may still obtain home or other inspection reports as they deem necessary. Disclosure and recourse are requirements and rights granted by law.

Continue reading (PDF)

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) will offer free training in construction basics at Lopez Island High School this March, sponsored by the Washington State Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund, the Washington State Department of Commerce, and by the Lopez Community Land Trust.

The course will be taught by Paul Henriksen, and will cover basic construction skills and career paths in the trade.   The curriculum includes lectures, safety/tool use demonstrations, and a hands-on building project.  All materials and tools will be provided.  This program is intended for young people and career-changers considering a career in the trades.  The course will benefit participating students as well as local construction companies in need of skilled employees.  This class is free to residents of San Juan County, but space is limited and requires pre-registration as well as a filing fee of $10.

This 8-week course will run from 5:30-7:30PM Tuesdays and Thursdays from March 26^th through May 16^th of 2019. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 19th. 

To apply, please visit the EDC’s website at www.sanjuansedc.org/trades.  For more information call the EDC office at 360-378-2906 or email EDC Trades Coordinator at [email protected].

The EDC’s Trades Education Initiative is additionally supported by San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island School District, Heritage Bank, and Islanders Bank.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County.  We believe a strong economy builds a strong community.  

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 – February 21st 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.

• Cynthia’s Bistro – 65 Nichols
• Thursday – 2/21/19 4:30 to 6:00 PM

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].

The 3rd Annual FHFF Oscar Gala returns to the beautiful San Juan Island Yacht Club on February 24, 2019
 
Celebrate film and watch the Oscars LIVE on the big screen with your friends! Doors open at 5:00 pm with live Red Carpet Coverage on the big screen, followed by the Oscar Ceremony at 6:00 pm.

Enjoy a selection of delicious Gourmet Tapas & Beverages. Save room for the ever-popular Desert Dash!  Walk the Red Carpet and pose for a photo or two. Prizes will be awarded for the best “Look Alike” Actress, Actor, Movie Couple, or simply come as the “star” that you are!

Sip specialty crafted cocktails while viewing Silent Auction items. Then, Farhad Ghatan hosts our Live Auction bidding, which takes place during commercial breaks of the Oscar telecast.

Tickets Are Available Online [PURCHASE HERE]  
or  at the FHFF office, located at 10 First Street,
OPEN Tuesday – Saturday – 1-5 pm.

$75 per person; $140 per couple; $520 per table of 8. ALL Proceeds Fund the 2019 Friday Harbor Film Festival

Join us for a fun-filled evening in support of The 7th Annual Friday Harbor Film Festival in 2019