Don’t Miss The Next Best of the Fest!

In the oft-cited history of American music, there is a missing chapter that deserves our attention and respect: the influence of Native Americans. Despite attempts to ban, censor, and erase Indian culture in the United States, indigenous musicians played an important role in helping to shape the soundtracks of our lives. Many early pioneers of the blues had Native as well as African American roots.

And as the folk rock era took hold in the 60s and 70s, Native Americans helped to define its evolution. Rumble tells the stories of these iconic Native musicians through playful re-creations and little-known stories, alongside concert footage, archives, and interviews with some of America’s greatest music legends who knew them, played music with them, and were inspired by them.

Featuring some of the greatest music stars of our time, the film reveals the important – but rarely acknowledged — impact of indigenous musicians on the American music scene.

Directors: Catherine Bainbridge & Alfonso Maiorana
Best Feature Length Documentary, Best Cinematography & Best Editing at 2018 Canadian Screen Awards, Audience Choice @ FHFF -Tales From the Heart

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 ~ 7:00 PM
The Grange ~ 152 1st St. Friday Harbor
Pay What You Can / ALL Donations appreciated!

Malcolm Suttles, FHFF Board Member and projectionist extraordinaire, was so inspired by this film, he is setting up his own sound system for this screening.
Don’t Miss This!

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

Hello, it’s me, Arlo. No, not Guthrie. The other one. I’m the other, better looking, more-sophisticated Arlo. As an older, dignified sort of fellow, I’m looking forward to finding a quiet home where I can pursue my interests, which include but are not limited to rare coin collecting, writing haiku poetry, reading the New York Times and listening to the cool jazz radio station.

I also enjoy the odd game of parcheesi from time to time. Kindly let me know if you are interested in meeting to discuss options. I’m here at the animal shelter.

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

Candidate Forums Scheduled March 4-7^TH

OPALCO’s Elections & Governance Committee has interviewed and approved a slate of candidates for the 2019 Board of Directors election. There are seven board members representing four districts and 20 islands. Everybody votes in all elections regardless of their home district. The Candidates are:

• Two open positions in District 3 (Lopez, Decatur, Center and Charles islands):
  Peter Garlock and Brian Silverstein
• One open position in District 4 (Shaw, Bell, Crane and Canoe islands):
  Peter Hawkes and Dr. Jerry Whitfield

Moderated candidate forums are scheduled:

• March 4: Woodmen Hall on Lopez – 5-6:30pm
• March 5: Grange in Friday Harbor – 5-6:30pm
• March 6: Senior Center on Orcas – 5-6:30pm
• March 7: Community Center on Shaw – 1:30-3pm

Voter materials will be sent out via email or USPS (depending on member preference) on March 11^th, when the election opens. Ballots are due online or by mail no later than 10am PST on April 10, 2019. Information on how to vote is clearly stated on the voter materials each member receives and is available online: https://www.opalco.com/election-process-for-directors/how-to-vote/.

Election results will be announced at the Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 13^th on the interisland ferry, followed by publication online at www.opalco.com.

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is our member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,000 members on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 95% greenhouse-gas free and is generated predominantly by hydroelectric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937. Follow OPALCO @OrcasPower on Facebook and Twitter.

We hear from Nathan Kessler-Jeffrey, Executive Artistic Director, San Juan Community Theatre…

SJCT Death by Design – Contributed photo

What a storm that was! On day one, I was standing outside, watching the snow fall, blanketing the ground in white. On day two, I was bundled up in the house, making soup, watching movies and playing games. On day three…I was going a little stir-crazy. Sometimes you just need to get out and have fun, right? I find that no matter how beautiful the snow, two days of being cooped up are about all I can take! Fortunately, we have a fantastic opportunity for a great night out with SJCT’s hilarious new production, Death by Design, directed by Joy Van Camp.

This delightful play combines everything you’d expect of a classic murder mystery with all the things you love about a drawing room comedy. Secret motivations, plots, subterfuge, and murder feel right at home beside witty repartee, underhanded compliments, outrageous characters, and a mild dose of satirical social commentary. If you enjoy Agatha Christie, Noel Coward, Sherlock Holmes, or Oscar Wilde, this is going to be a show you don’t want to miss!

Buddha at Sakya Kachod Choling Buddhist Center – Peggy Sue McRae photo

I was staying at Sakya Kachod Choling, the Buddhist Center on Mt Dallas, when I learned that my friend Ben’s cancer had spread into parts of his body that changed his situation from fighting for his life to acceptance of his death. A Buddhist Center is a good place to be at a time like that. It is a quiet beautiful place to contemplate impermanence.

Ben liked to brag toward the end of his life that he had seven women cooking for him. I was happy to be one of them. What he gave me was a valuable lesson. I was witness to a dignified and graceful death. I think of Ben when I contemplate how I would like to die.

It was a few years later that I again took some quiet time at the Buddhist Center to fill out my own Five Wishes, a legal document that 1) Names the person I want to make healthcare decisions for me when I can’t make them for myself. 2) The kind of medical treatment I want or don’t want. 3) How comfortable I want to be. 4) How I want people to treat me. 5) What I want my loved ones to know.

We postpone these tasks because they describe a day we hope will never come and yet it is reassuring to have my wishes in writing rather than one day only wishing I had done it. If you are ready to do yourself and your loved ones a favor by putting your wishes down on paper, the Mullis Center is sponsoring an Advanced Care Planning Workshop on Monday, February 25 from 1:00 pm to 2:30.

Find out the difference between a POLST (Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment), a directive, and a will. Learn what your legal rights are and the significance of a power of attorney. Explore end of life choices and learn about available services. The workshop is free. Call 360.378.2677 to register.

Just a few of the campsites at San Juan County Park on the westside – SJ Update staff photo

Early resident camping reservations accepted until February 21^st at 4:00 pm for San Juan County Parks.

San Juan County Parks & Fair is again offering advance camping reservations for people who reside in our county year-round!  Choose from San Juan County Park, San Juan County Fairgrounds (RVs only), Odlin County Park, and Shaw County Park for any dates in 2019.  

To request your reservation, please email [email protected] for a 2019 Resident Reservation request form, or call 360-378-8420.  Resident reservations must be made directly through our admin office and are not available to book online. 

Requests will be accepted until Thursday, February 21^st at 4:00pm.  You may reserve up to two sites per camping date per household.  Payment must be received with your completed application.  Parks Admin staff will do our best to promptly book reservations as they are received.  Reservation confirmations / receipts will be e-mailed to the email provided on your form via our reservation system. 

Happy camping in 2019!

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Selling your property? Here’s advice from a pro…

Thinking about 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, contract performance, will prove beneficial and are worth the effort in 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 a home or other inspection reports as they deem necessary.  Disclosure and recourse are requirements and rights granted by law. Continue Reading

We hear from Richard Meenan, San Juan Public Schools Foundation… Here’s a photo from the 11th & 12th grade team ten years ago…

The 11th-12th Grade Team in action in the 2009 Knowledge Bowl – photo by James Krall.

Are you ready for some knowledge?

The San Juan Public Schools Foundation will host the 2019 Knowledge Bowl at the San Juan Community Theatre Monday evening, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30.  Doors open at 6:15.  Tickets are $5 (or whatever you can afford) at the door.

This is the 25^th year of the Knowledge Bowl, and our silver anniversary promises to be a special evening!  Teams from Friday Harbor High and Middle Schools and Spring Street International School will take on the Soroptimists, Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary Club in a battle for intellectual supremacy hosted by Brent Snow. The High School Jazz Band will be on hand, as well as fabulous raffle prizes, crazy costumes, a large check, and more!

It will be an evening of fun and laughter, so come join our celebration of 25 years of our island’s awesome brainpower!

On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, the San Juan County Board of Health will be discussing medical air transport, a critical Access to Care issue, at their regularly scheduled Board meeting.  The meeting will start at 11:30 am in the County Council Hearing Room.  The full Board of Health agenda can be viewed on the county website.

Please note this is a discussion item for the Board of Health, not a public hearing.  The Board can ask for input from the audience during the discussion.  However, input may be limited as the Board has a full agenda.

The San Juan County Board of Health has responsibility over all matters pertaining to the preservation of the life and health of the people of San Juan County.  The Board of Health is a seven-member board consisting of the three County Council members, one Town of Friday Harbor representative and three at-large members with knowledge of public health practices. 

County residents are encouraged to attend and provide input to the Board on health matters. The Board generally meets monthly on the third Wednesday starting around 11:30 am in the County Council Hearing Room. Please check the county website or contact Health & Community Services at (360) 378-4474 to learn about upcoming Board meetings.

Firefighter Erik Gresseth and Assistant Fire Chief Noel Monin – Contributed photo

The San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Department is proud to announce the February 2019 Firefighter of the Month.

Rookie Firefighter Erik Gresseth was selected this month due to his unwavering commitment to his community. Erik has an outstanding record of responding to emergency calls and attendance at training drills.

Erik is someone who tries to stay in the background and his quiet leadership by example is a wonderful attribute he brings to San Juan Island Fire and Rescue.

The Fire Commissioners, Chief and the Department is grateful for all Erik does for both the department and our community. We congratulate Erick for his service and dedication.

Merri Ann Simonson is back with another SJI Lifestyle video…

San Juan Island Lifestyle video that shares with you a snow day – Island Style.

Baked Potato Bar dinner, Friday, March 1, 2019 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church.

Potatoes and fixins (chili, cheese, onions, etc.) with pies and brownies for dessert. Cost is donation only.

We are raising funds for our kitchen remodel. We already have $4,000+ in our fund and are hoping to raise more so we can start the remodel.

Any questions, please call Ruth Ann Krooswyck at (360) 378-7162 or Mary Ray at (360) 378-8408.

We received this photo from Ruth Offen, “Just saw this gathering of I think commerants or loons all floating together. First thought it was herring ball, but not. Have you or anybody else seen this sight before?” Click on the photo to enlarge the image and if you know these birds and what they are doing please leave us a comment…

What Birds Are These? – Ruth Offen photo