San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce Featured Member of the Month

Richard and Sherri Daly have some exciting news! New name, new logo. Same smiling faces! In 2013, we opened a retail cheese shop with a light menu. We have since evolved into a favorite restaurant.

To better serve our guests and to more accurately reflect our business model, we have changed our name from “San Juan Island Cheese” to “San Juan Bistro”.

We offer table service with “San Juan Bistro”, and our take-out menu with “San Juan Express”. Either way, you can “Love Your Lunch!” We are reopening Friday, February 8, at 11 am.

We are your locally owned, family-run lunch bistro in beautiful Friday Harbor. San Juan Bistro is ideally located across from the Brickworks Farmer’s Market and within walking distance to the ferry. Enjoy a delectable lunch menu of Panini Sandwiches on Housemade Bread, Hand-rolled Pasta, Daily Soups, Fresh Salads, and House-made Desserts. We offer Northwest wines, beers and ciders, and locally roasted coffee to complement your meal.

Enjoy our patio and relax in this unique corner of the Pacific Northwest.

San Juan Bistro
155 Nichols St
360-370-5115

https://sanjuanbistro.com
[email protected]

During Valentine’s week 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.

Find out what the Southern Resident orcas need to survive and thrive including how the Snake, Frasier, Columbia, Skagit and other river systems impact the orca; how San Juan County shorelines contribute to orca health; how many Chinook salmon are needed to support the population; if there should be limits on Southern Resident orca whale watching; and proposed state legislation.

• Lopez Island – Monday, February 11, 12 – 1:30 p.m.
  Woodman Hall, 4102 Fisherman Bay Rd.
• Orcas Island – Tuesday, February 12, 12 – 1:30 p.m.
  Orcas Senior Center, 62 Henry Rd.
• San Juan Island – Wednesday, February 13, Time 12-1:30 p.m.
  San Juan Island Grange Hall, 152 First Street N.

The featured speakers include Lovel Pratt, Friends of the San Juans’ Marine Program Protection 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.

Announcing – 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 – January 31 – 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.

Basic Home Cooking made with everything but the Kitchen Sink.

• Cynthia’s Bistro – 65 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor
• Thursday, January 31st, from 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 at [email protected].

Herald the start of spring with gardening enthusiasts at this annual celebration. The NW Flower and Garden Festival in Seattle is the second-largest garden show in the United States. The display gardens will have 28,000 blooming bulbs in 20 plus full-scale display gardens to inspire everyone.

Stroll the marketplace with over 300 exhibitors. There are thousands of plants, vintage garden vendors and gourmet marketplace. Traffic cooperating, we will arrive at the Convention Center at 11:00 AM, in time to enjoy the Container Wars with Cisco Morris and Richie Steffen

The show offers a roster of over 100 of the finest seminars. When you dig into the free seminars and demonstrations you’ll be inspired to turn your garden dreams into reality. The seminars blend stunning visuals showcasing cutting-edge advice from garden designers, horticulturists and authors.

Buy your ticket now at the Early Bird price (www.gardenshow.com) and enjoy a day with the SJI Garden Club at the FESTIVAL.

• Date: February 22, 2019
• Time: Eastbound Ferry FH 8:05 AM Westbound 7:50 PM
  – Orcas 7:00 AM 7:10 PM
  – Lopez 7:45 AM 7:50 PM
• Cost: $50 – Transportation includes ferry ticket
  Does NOT include food, festival entry ($19) or the driver gratuity

San Juan Island Garden Club web site www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com
Reservations are required prior to February 18, 2019

To register contact:
Kathie Forsyth 360-378-5071 [email protected]
Vonnie Harold 360-298-0859 [email protected]

The Joy of Gardening is Sharing

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

Hey! Look at me… I’m a bonafide Schnauzer! I’m straight up legit! When I arrived here at your animal shelter last week I looked more like a Sasquatch-Rastafarian mix.

You don’t even want to know what I smelled like! It’s amazing how handsome a fellow can become with a little TLC!

My name is Schatzie, and I’m in need of a new home. I promise I won’t put on airs now that I have a pedigree. I’ll still be my old sweet, playful self. Stop by the animal shelter to meet me soon!

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

On Wednesday, January 30, 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 agenda could change prior to the board meeting.

Manager wanted for year-round retail outlet in Friday Harbor, Washington. This position will be salaried with store hours of Monday through Friday 9:00 to 5:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 2:00.

We are looking for an individual with great customer service skills and attitude.

Send resumes to [email protected] or mail to:

Post San Juan
685 Spring Street – PMB 99
Friday Harbor, Washington 98250

Here’s a note to you from the County Treasurer…

In accordance with RCW 84.56.020, I, Rhonda Pederson, San Juan County Treasurer, am providing notification that the 2019 tax roll has been completed. All real and personal property taxes and assessments are due and payable to the San Juan County Treasurer on or before April 30, 2019.

The 2019 tax statements are scheduled to be mailed out mid-February.

2019 tax information will be available on our website beginning January 24, 2019 – http://www.sanjuanco.com/314/Treasurer

For information regarding the School Levy Information, please visit the DOR website https://dor.wa.gov/FundingEd

Please call San Juan County Treasurer’s Office if you have any questions.

(360) 378-2171.

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except holidays.

We all experience grief and emotional loss, but that does not make it any easier. Loss can cause ongoing pain that is difficult to break free from. You can take specific actions to help the healing process.

Registration is open for Hospice of San Juan’s 2019 Grief Support Group, facilitated by Rosa Blair. Rosa, a counselor and grief support specialist, offers this group at no charge through Hospice of San Juan.

Tuesdays, February 5 through March 26 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM.

Please contact Rosa to sign up – space is limited.

(360) 298-0811 or [email protected]

MEASLES STATE OF EMERGENCY issued for Washington State

Governor Jay Inslee has issued a public health state of emergency based on 31 confirmed cases in the Vancouver area of Clark County, and one confirmed case in Seattle & King County. There have been multiple exposure locations in the Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA and Seattle-King County area.

The Washington State Department of Health Measles 2019 website is being updated daily with details on the current status of the outbreak, which includes an extensive list of exposure locations based in the Portland, Vancouver and Seattle-King County regions.

San Juan County Health & Community Services alerted medical providers last week of the Washington State measles cases, and is alerting schools. Unimmunized students have been excluded from affected Vancouver and Portland area schools until the outbreak is over, to prevent further spread of measles cases in the school setting.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease, and can be very serious, especially for young children and infants who are too young to be immunized. Measles is spread when an infected person breaths, coughs or sneezes,” said Dr. Frank James, the Health Officer for San Juan County.  Continue Reading

The San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit returns to San Juan Island February 2^nd  and 3^rd for the 7th year of education and celebration of the islands’ food and farming communities.  Offering a selection of twenty different workshops and sessions, this year’s Summit is sure to have something for everyone engaged with our local food system.

Dr. Heidi Roop – Contributed photo

The Summit kicks off Saturday with eight hands-on workshops around the island. Dive deep with local and regional experts on topics like “On-Farm Fire Safety and Preparedness”, “Funding for Farmers”, and “Keeping it Cool: Cold Storage Options and Implementations”. These stand-alone workshops are $25 with advance registration, $30 day-of.

The whole community is invited to kick back Saturday night at the Summit Hoedown at Brickworks from 6-9pm. Enjoy live music from local group River Rye while savoring a BBQ dinner from San Juan Bistro. Tickets will be sold at the door. $5 cover, $20 dinner inclusive. Youth seventeen and under free entrance, kids meals available.

Gather on Sunday at Friday Harbor Middle School for a day of classroom sessions. Attendees will hear from University of Washington climate scientist Dr. Heidi Roop. Her keynote address, “From Coastlines to Crops: What Climate Change Means for the Puget Sound” will highlight the range of climate impacts we expect in the region. She will dissect the science of climate change communications, and propose steps to catalyze the action needed to confront the climate change challenge head-on.   Continue Reading

Richard Lind will perform a recital of French, German, Canadian, and American organ music at 3 pm on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at St. David’s Episcopal Church.

The recital is called THE MYSTICAL ORGAN, and includes organ music composed by Jean Langlais, Charles Tournemire, César Franck, Charles-Marie Widor, Johann Sebastian Bach, Denis Bédard, Olivier Messiaen, and Richard Lind.

In addition to the music, brief descriptions of the compositions, period, style, and “organ facts” will be offered.  Mr. Lind, a member of St. David’s Church, is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Music in organ performance. 

There is no charge to attend, but donations will be gratefully accepted for the instrument maintenance at St. David’s. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. St. David’s is located at the corner of Park and Marguerite.

Candidates Named for OPALCO Election;
Nominations by Petition Due Feb 13^th

The volunteer member Elections & Governance Committee has selected candidates for the OPALCO Board of Directors election in District 3 (Lopez, Decatur, Center and Charles islands) and District 4 (Shaw, Bell, Canoe and Crane islands). The following were nominated by a vote of the committee:

• District 3 (two positions open): Peter Garlock and Brian Silverstein
• District 4 (one position open): Peter Hawkes and Dr. Jerry Whitfield

There is still time for members to declare their candidacy for the board election. Nominations by petition are due on February 13, 2018 at 12:00 PT (noon). Co-op members from Districts 3 or 4 may submit their candidacy by 1) collecting no fewer than 20 names and signatures of bonafide OPALCO members who live in their district on a petition; and 2) completing the nominations app at https://opalco.directnominations.net/.

Get more information on OPALCO’s nominations process online: www.opalco.com/elections. ALL OPALCO members vote in every election regardless of your home district. Continue Reading

The Oscars are coming to the Yacht Club! Friday Harbor Film Festival invites you to their annual gala event. Here they are with more…

We are so pleased to announce that the FHFF Oscar Gala returns to the beautiful Friday Harbor Yacht Club for 2019.

Watch the Oscar Ceremony LIVE on the Big Screen on Sunday, February 24th, 2019. Join with FHFF, as we host the 3rd Annual Oscars Fundraiser Gala!

Celebrate film and watch the Oscars live on the big screen with your friends! Doors open at 4:30 pm with live Red Carpet Coverage on the big screen, followed by the Oscar Ceremony at 6:00 pm.

Enjoy a wonderful selection of gourmet tapas prepared by fabulous local chefs accompanied by an assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Choose to dress in your glamorous best, or get creative and come in costume as a film character or actor/actress. Whatever you wear – it will certainly be a fun-filled evening. Continue Reading

EDC Partners with SJI Community Foundation and WA State Dept. of Commerce on Plumbing Course

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) is proud to announce their partnership with the San Juan Island Community Foundation, the Washington State Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund, and the Washington State Department of Commerce to offer an upcoming Plumbing Basics class at the Friday Harbor High School in January and February.  Because of these partnerships, this course will be offered tuition-free to young people and career changers on San Juan Island. 

The course will be taught at the Friday Harbor High School STEM Center by Brent Huntington, retired plumber.  The program is intended to benefit participating students as well as local plumbing companies in need of skilled employees.  The hands-on curriculum has been designed for high school students and career changers, and will include career information, tool usage, standard plumbing code, safety, and more.  This class is free to participants in San Juan County, but space is limited and requires pre-registration as well as a filing fee of $10.  Please note:  this course is not designed for DIY home repair.

The course will run from 4:00-6:00PM Tuesdays and Thursdays from January 29^th though February 26^th of 2019. There is no cost for the training; pre-registration and a $10 filing fee is required.  The deadline to apply is Friday, January 25th.  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]. Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson is back with another SJI Lifestyle video…

This San Juan Island Lifestyle video shares how much we enjoyed fishing in the 2019 Roche Harbor Salmon Derby: