On Wednesday Nov 28, 2018, 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.  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.

To see the agenda, access BoardDocs from our website at www.sjisd.wednet.edu  (then locate the BoardDocs School Board agenda access).  Or go straight to the agenda itself at https://www.boarddocs.com/wa/sjisd/Board.nsf/Public

Please be aware that the agenda could change prior to the board meeting.

San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 will be meeting on Wednesday November 28, 2018, 3:00 p.m., at Frank Wilson Memorial EMS Building 1079 Spring Street. A work session that is open to the public will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Also note that the December Regular Board Meeting is rescheduled from 12/26 to Wednesday December 19, 2018, at 3:00 p.m., at Frank Wilson Memorial EMS Building.

All meeting audio is posted (typically) within 48 hours on our website here: http://sjcphd.org/meeting/meeting-minutes.  Please contact our office if you have any questions.

Here at the district we are feeling very grateful following the closing of our IIMC sale!

On December 1st from 10:00 until 4:00 the Friends of the Library is sponsoring a Holiday Sale with all proceeds going to library programming. 

Included in the sale are interesting books, unusual gifts and great jewelry.  Also the annual gift basket silent auction will occur. 

Baskets to bid on include: cat basket, dog basket, ‘beautiful you’ basket, puzzle basket, knitting basket and many, many more. 

Please come, have fun, holiday shop and support your local library. 

Our next Art for Fun art pARTies are coming up… November 28 from 5:45 to 8:00 pm and December 2 from 1:45 – 4:00 pm at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art.

To celebrate the holidays, we will be painting “Holiday Joy”. Come share this fun event with friends or family. No experience necessary!

For more information and to register, please visit http://www.sjima.org. 

Gail Schnee, San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce Board President, and Co-Owner of Cotton Cotton Cotton, shares this month’s edition of Chamber Chat…

Who can believe we are in November and Thanksgiving has come and gone? This year has flown by and Christmas will be here before we know it.

Which means we should all start thinking about checking items off those Christmas wish lists. Our local businesses are happy to help you find that perfect gift or sell you a gift certificate to a favorite store, restaurant or adventure company.

A lot of stores are having sales this weekend with Black Friday, and don’t forget that Saturday is Small Business Saturday. So we ask you to please support your local businesses this holiday season. Remember, don’t buy from strangers, buy local and support your neighbors and friends.

Thanks to Friday Harbor Yacht Club for hosting the September Social and Printonyx for hosting the November social. Please mark your calendars for December 10^th for the Chamber Annual Meeting/Awards/Holiday Social at Brickworks.

There are lots of events going on through the end of the year with Winterfest starting on December 1^st. The Island Lights Festival starts at the Whale Museum, Tree Lighting at Memorial Park and Soup with Santa at Brickworks. Please note that the Tree lighting is on Saturday this year.

There are also concerts, plays and ballets to attend so make sure you look on the Chamber website for dates and times as well as business hours for your local restaurants.

New Chamber members are:

• False Bay Guest House/Cassidy King
• Ft Liberty Camping and Adventures
• Dancing Seeds Farm
• NW Island Escapes
• Altar Movement Studio

This is Shahn at the checkout counter from Last Year’s shopping spree – Tim Dustrude photo

Shopping Spree winner Shahn McGuire again ran for the 28th Annual San Juan Lions Club Shopping Spree on Tuesday. She filled shopping carts with $2007.22 worth of groceries in her 4 minute run and donated all of it to the Food Bank, (minus a couple of chocolate bars).

5 year old Lily Easley once again picked the Grand Prize Winning ticket. Last year, Lily Easley age 4 at the time, also picked the winner and remarkably, picked Shahn McGuire for the 2017 run as well!

The odds of this happening are… well, who knows ?

Shahn’s run last year for the food bank netted $1,076.95. (and she was as amazed as anyone to be picked for the 2nd year in a row)

This year, 3 Turkeys were also awarded to:

• Andy Zall
• Ruth Fleming
• Rikki Swin (Rikki was the 2016 Grand Prize Winner)

The 2018 Raffle Sales were the most successful EVER in the 29 years San Juan Lions club has been doing the Annual shopping Spree with over 3600 tickets sold. 100% of the funds go to LOCAL Scholarships.

Thanks to Kings and Market Place for allowing San Juan Lions to do this annually and allowing the Giant Shopping Cart to be parked outside.

Story by Jim Carroll
Lions Shopping Spree Chairman 2018

Zion National Park – Bob Stavers photo

San Juan Island photographer Bob Stavers shares some photos from his recent trip to Utah…

I recently spent a week in Zion National Park with a wonderful photographer and teacher, Matt Suess. Here are a few images I am working on from that very productive trip. I hope you enjoy them.  Just click  here: 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/44888236@N00/albums/72157697726925890

The new museum sign on the corner of Price and Spring Streets – Contributed photo

The Board of Trustees and staff of the San Juan Historical Society and Museum would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Town of Friday Harbor Council and Mayor Farhad Ghatan for the new Historical Museum directional sign at the corner of Spring and Price Streets.

Even though the museum has been located on Price Street since 1966, it can be a little difficult to find us the old-fashioned way. Thankfully, the handsome sign has made an immediate impact in helping to guide visitors our way.

Sincerely,

Board of Trustees
San Juan Historical Society and Museum

Kevin Loftus
Executive Director

The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor is a great place to visit in December!

Join us on Saturday, December 1st for the Island Lights Festival in Friday Harbor. To get everyone warmed up, come to The Whale Museum for our annual Holiday Open House Saturday from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm.

Fun for all ages! Enjoy holiday treats & goodies! Sing carols! Make holiday crafts! Attendees will receive a 10% off coupon for merchandise in the gift shop.

The Whale Museum’s exhibit hall and gift shop are open daily from 10 am until 4 pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Days). More details can be found on the Whale Museum’s Calendar.

The SJC Land Bank invites you to to meet your new Orcas Stewardship Staff and throw in a little habitat restoration to boot. Join us in the oak restoration units to help plant plugs grown in the Salish Seeds Project nursery.

We will depart promptly at 9:45 am from the South Trailhead parking area (Deer Harbor Road/Wild Rose Lane) to hike up the mountain. Tools will be provided. Dress for the weather and bring water/snacks.

• Date: December 1
• Time: 9:45 am to 1:00 pm

For more information contact Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or email [email protected].

Here’s a message from the State of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office…

OLYMPIA – Earlier this month, a woman reportedly released two large coolers of live tilapia into Sammamish Lake, a popular location for water sports and hiking. A concerned citizen saw the act and reported it to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Upon following up, four fish were found dead, assumedly due to the shock of the cold water.

“People often think they are doing a kindness to animals by releasing them into the wild, but, in many cases, those animals are not adapted for our climate and perish,” said Justin Bush, executive coordinator of the Invasive Species Council. “What seems like a humane action often leads to suffering in the end for the animal. In addition, wildlife that can survive may damage Washington’s natural resources and cost thousands of dollars in cleanup costs.”

More than $137 billion is spent each year to manage invasive species in the United States. The costs, both economic and environmental, escalate with every invasive species introduced into the country. Northern pike, for example, are an aggressive, predatory, non-native fish that were introduced illegally for sport fishing and now threaten native salmon and, by extension, orcas. Other introduced species ruin habitat and spread disease.

If you have an animal or plant you cannot take care of, don’t let it loose. Here are a few alternatives: Continue Reading

Ryan Palmateer receives his quick title from San Juan County Auditor employees Oren Combs and Kira Sable – Contributed photo

Ever needed that car or boat license in a hurry, only to be told it would take six to eight weeks to arrive? Now, San Juan County residents can walk away from the licensing counter with a clean, valid, same-day Washington State “Quick Title.” This new service is available at the San Juan County Auditor’s Office to qualifying vehicle and vessel owners.

New or used vehicles and vessels with appropriate title documents may be eligible for quick titling. Records with lienholders do not qualify. Quick titles fees include a $50 convenience fee, in addition to regular title fees.

The first “Quick Title” was issued at the Auditor’s Office on November 7. Ryan Palmateer of Friday Harbor needed a title in order to sell his 2009 Smart Passion. Ryan is the Energy Program Manager at the San Juan Islands Conservation District, and also serves as the president of the San Juan Islands Electric Vehicle Association.

“My goal is to divest myself of gas-powered cars,” Palmateer said of his decision to request a quick title. He is currently waiting for a 2019 Arcimoto, a three-wheeled electric bike with two seats and a 130-mile range, built in Eugene, Oregon. Palmateer and his colleagues at the Conservation District specialize in helping people reduce their carbon footprint and energy output. They offer resources to homeowners to improve home insulation and heating systems in order to minimize pollution and maximize energy savings.

A quick title enabled Palmateer to complete the sale of his vehicle much more quickly than if he had had to wait for a traditional title. To see if your vehicle or vessel title qualifies for quick titling, bring your paperwork in to the licensing office, or call (360) 378-2161. The Auditor’s Office is open for licensing transactions Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm. Credit and debit cards are accepted with a small surcharge.

Photo courtesy Terri Oda on Flickr

A new yoga class – Start your day with a joyful practice! Beginners welcome. The poses are easy to learn, and our easy-to-follow morning flows will expand your breath and uplift your spirit!

Katerina Wen – Contributed photo

This class is both uplifting and educational. When you take this class, you will receive priceless tips on how to take care of your health in the most natural, simple ways. Taught by yoga alliance teacher Katerina Wen, who brings the wealth of 20 years of professional teaching knowledge, and a gentle way to guide you into a brighter day!

Benefits:

• Strengthen and flexibility
• Tones and releases your spine, torso, legs, and shoulders
• Oxygenates the whole body, & rejuvenates the vital organs
• Healthy stimulation for your cardiovascular, metabolic, & respiratory systems
• Releases tension, tightness, or holding pattens causing physical restrictions or pain
• Calibrates the right and left hemispheres of the brain & fosters emotional balance
• Slows down the breath, relaxes the nerves, calms the mind
• Builds inner joy and self-confidence

Register by November 26^th for $38, $5 more thereafter.

• Beginning December 6
• Thursday 8:15 – 9:15am
• Location: Dance Workshop2

For more information or registration call 360-378-4953, visit www.islandrec.org, or stop by our office at 580 Guard Street, 11am-5pm, Monday through Friday  

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

My name is Frodo. It looks like I’ll be without my own dysfunctional family to dine with on Thanksgiving again this year.

For the record, I’m still single, I don’t have a job, I’ve been known to drink out of the toilet, and I fart at inappropriate times. If you don’t mind my saying so, I think I might fit right in with your family gathering this year.

Adopt me and let’s put the “Fun” back in dysfunctional! I’m here at the animal shelter, but I’d rather be home with you.

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

Here’s a letter from Kyle Wall and the Pacific Whale Watch Association…

Statement from the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA):

The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) is a committed partner focused on efforts to protect the health of the Southern Resident killer whale population. We appreciate the work of our fellow members on the Governor’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery and Task Force and support a majority of the bold actions recommended in the Task Force’s report.

As these recommendations move to the Governor’s office, PWWA urges implementation of recommendations that focus on the goal of addressing the critical issue of the lack of Chinook salmon in the waters of the Salish Sea. We encourage Governor Inslee to focus on science-based solutions supported by PWWA’s research community partners, including organizations such as the Center For Whale Research, Orca Conservancy and the Orca Behavior Institute, as he evaluates the recommendations of the Task Force

Specifically, PWWA looks forward to continuing conversations around vessel activity around each of the 74 Southern Resident killer whales. As studies have shown, vessel speed is a primary driver of sound, and we are proud that our boats already maintain a slow zone around the whales and model this behavior for others in the area. Continue Reading