L-R: Lt. Tom Eades, Gretchen Bailey, Firefighters Gilbert Venegas and Craig McConnell, assist Cowboy – Photo by Firefighter Cy Scammell

By Carolyn Hudson…

When Cowboy toppled down a 30-foot cliff Monday night, San Juan Island Fire & Rescue Firefighters were there to save him in the dark of night.

Gretchen Bailey said her hearing and vision-impaired 14-year-old golden retriever got confused and ended up falling down the cliff on the island’s west side before she could reach him.

Firefighter Craig McConnell and Lt. Michael Henderson rappelled down the rocky wall to Cowboy using an intricate rope and pulley system set up by several firefighters. The rising tide was beginning to splash onto Cowboy who lay there motionless, tired and scared when the firefighters reached him.

“When we approached Cowboy, we were in six inches of water, and by the time we were secured and ready to go up, we were in three and a half feet of water,” said Firefighter McConnell. Bailey said the veterinarian was unsure if he would ever recover, but Cowboy is now walking up and down the stairs unassisted.

Assistant Chief Noel Monin said, “Although it seems like we perform more technical rope rescues involving dogs than humans, it’s basically the same method and the more we train, the more proficient we will become under the most challenging of scenarios.” Continue Reading

All the Little Things

Surprisingly, marine debris and plastic disposable lighters are at the heart of April Surgent’s art. Her exhibition at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) attracts visitors with its glowing beauty and reveals a larger message.

She has taken her keen interest in the natural world and the relationship of humans and ecosystems, turning it into art.

In 2013, after another alarming climate change report on the news, Surgent was received into the National Science Foundation’s, Antarctic Artist and Writers Program where she worked at Palmer station.

April Surgent – Contributed photo

Then she volunteered for six months as biologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program as an artist in residence. April worked as a member of a three-person team at Pearl & Hermes Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Accessible only by boat and some 1200 miles northwest of Honolulu, Pearl and Hermes Atoll lies in the protected waters of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.  Though the landmass is small, it provides critical habitat for untold numbers of green sea turtles, thousands of nesting seabirds and 164 endangered monk seals.

The team was alarmed at the piles of debris washing ashore in these remote atolls. With civilization thousands of miles away, humans have unwittingly contributed to the debris problem. All the little things is created from the 2,300 cigarette lighters Surgent gathered on the beaches of the atoll.

Bycatch is made from collected 500-watt, red, Takuyu light bulbs commonly used by fishermen which litter the shores.

Wanting to preserve the remaining integrity of our oceans, Surgent cares deeply about creating positive changes. She reminds visitors that “marine ecosystems are vital to all life not only because the world’s oceans are a rich natural resource but because they also produce more than 50% of the oxygen that we breathe and regulate the climate.”

As a call to action, a station in the exhibition invites visitors to record their ideas and commitments to positive change in their choices to use plastics. Visitors can read the entries and be inspired to make their own lifestyle choices.

Most recently, Surgent has worked from the Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, west of San Francisco but she lives and works on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.

Surgent started working in glass in 1997 in Seattle and went on to study at the Australian National University. After graduating with honors, she focused on wheel engraved glass. Her work has been exhibited in numerous US galleries and museums as well as in the United Kingdom and Australia. She teaches and lectures internationally. In recognition of her work she has been awarded a 2009 Behnke Foundation Neddy Fellowship and a 2016 USA Ford Fellowship.

Portrait of an Ocean is part of the yearlong theme 2018 THE FEMALE GAZE Part 3 – The Woman as Visionary and Creator.

The exhibition is open until December 10 on Friday-Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 540 Spring Street in Friday Harbor. Admission is $10 for entrance to all the exhibits and free to members and those 18 and under. Mondays are Pay As You Can Days. SJIMA thanks the sponsors who made the exhibition possible Islanders Bank, Town of Friday Harbor, Kenmore Air, Printonyx, Mike’s Café & Wine Bar and Harbor Rentals.

Other activities such as Art For Fun for adults and Fall Family Art Days are in full swing at SJIMA. Visit www.sjima.org for more details.

It’s that time of year again, and Griffin Bay Bookstore will hold its annual Open House and Sale on Saturday, November 10, 10:00 am—6:00 pm to celebrate 39 years of bookselling.

You’ll find the bookstore brimful of the latest in fiction and nonfiction, with 20% off on all books on the shelves.

The annual Open House and Sale is Laura Norris’ way of thanking our island community for loyal support and ongoing patronage. Be sure to stop in for cookies and coffee or apple cider, and shop to your heart’s content.

If you want to start on holiday shopping and take advantage of the sale, look for what’s new for bird lovers such as Adam Nicholson’s The Seabird’s Cry; for book lovers, The Library Book; and a must-have for American history buffs is Jill Lepore’s These Truths, Fans of Michael Lewis will want his latest, The Fifth Risk. 

And if you’re looking for novels that shed light on the times we live in, try Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls, Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver and Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart. For the children in your life, Zola’s Elephant is gorgeous. And for a great true story, The Hen Who Sailed Around the World; for Middle Readers, Louisiana’s Way Home, LU, and City of Ghosts. Young Adult readers will surely be drawn to: Bridge of Clay by Marcus Zuzak and Dry Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman. Continue Reading

Marker for Budd C. Larson at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, France
Portraits, left to right:
Top row: George D. Allain, Harold Butterworth, Fred E. Hackett
Middle row: Walter E. Heidenreich, John M. Jones, Budd C. Larson
Bottom row: Charles Lawson, Jr., Fred Martin, Voyle B. Martin

This month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum…

Although it’s now been 100 years since the end of World War I, many of us grew up with first hand stories of fear, bravery and all too often, sadness about family experiences with the double punch of world war and a pandemic known as the Spanish Flu. San Juan Island was no exception.

First, there are some facts to know about the Spanish Flu of 1918. It did not originate in Spain. It’s just that Spain, as a neutral country, had no reason to suppress news of its spread while other countries did, so as to avoid showing any weakness to their war opponents. This created an impression that the flu was more prevalent in Spain and had originated there.

The pandemic hit Washington state hard in the fall of 1918. With so many servicemen from around the country housed in military camps, this strain of influenza spread quickly and could develop into bacterial pneumonia, the more serious threat to life. The Army’s Camp Lewis in Pierce County reported an average of ten influenza/pneumonia deaths a week during its spread in September. In just one year, this pandemic would kill at least 50 million people around the world.

In 1918, San Juan County had a population of just around 3,600 people. This small county was home to 124 men who left families behind to serve our country in World War I, the “Great War” as it was called then. Of these 124 men, nine of them never returned home. Combat in France claimed six of their lives, while pneumonia was listed as the ultimate cause of death for three others. You can see their names on the stone monument in Friday Harbor’s Memorial Park, a project of the Women’s Study Club, dedicated on November 11, 1921. Here are small glimpses into the lives of the nine men, pictured above, who perished: Continue Reading

Family fun returns with the seventh annual FANS Carnival at the Fairgrounds Building on Saturday, November 17th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The Carnival features a Monster Truck Slide, a Pirate’s Revenge Obstacle Course, 20 Carnival Games, cotton candy, sno-cones, and the Kiwanis FAN Friendly Cafe with hot dogs and more.

Admission is free. $1.00 tickets will be sold for the games, inflatables and food. Face-Painting and Palm Readings are free.

Game winners will receive tokens which can be combined to obtain much nicer prizes than in the past.

Each child will receive a free raffle ticket to win a bicycle, scooter, and more.

For more information or to volunteer at the carnival contact David Waldron at 378-3070 or [email protected].

FANS was formed in 2012 as a nonprofit group to create new opportunities for Island Rec to expand its parks, programs and services. Proceeds from the Carnival help FANS in that mission.

More often than not, interested families say that they might like to try 4-H, but they really don’t want to have an animal. The good news is that 4-H is for all young people between the ages of 5 and 18 (by October 1^st).

We teach kids from kindergarten until they leave for college how to be good leaders, keep records, give presentations on topics they are passionate about, and provide service in their community.

At its core, 4-H is all about experiential learning (Do – Reflect – Apply) and the four Essential Elements (Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity). We know that these are some of the most important factors in supporting young people who will grow up to be successful adults and members of our communities.

In fact, 4-H’ers are 2 times more likely to be civically active; 2 times more likely to make healthier choices; and 4-H girls are 2 to 3 times more likely to take part in out-of-school science programs compared to their peers (Tufts University, 2013).

Here in San Juan County, we strive to offer programs that fit the needs of our kids, and our activities are driven by adults in our community who have been carefully screened. These adults get involved because they care about the kids, not because they are always experts in the subject matter. After all, in 4-H, we believe in learning by doing!

Right now, our greatest need is volunteers to lead non-animal activities. If you have a passion for Legos, photography, fine arts, or crafts, we could use your help!

If you would like to get involved, get dates for upcoming meetings, or learn more about what 4-H has to offer in our community, please contact the San Juan County 4-H Program Coordinator: Wendy Waxman Kern at the WSU Extension Office ([email protected] or 360-370-7662).

This story submitted by Carla Wright, Publicity officer for Rotary Club of San Juan Islands…

The Rotary Club of San Juan Islands recently visited the Friday Harbor Elementary School for its annual distribution of dictionaries to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.

Pictured above are the 3rd grade students of Noel Harvey, Kim Warin, and Tessa Gavre. The kids are excited to receive dictionaries of their own.

Rotary Club of San Juan Islands has given over 3,000 dictionaries to students countywide for over 10 years under the leadership of Barb Fagan, Literacy Chair. (photo at left).

Please join us this Saturday, November 10th from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm for a Farm Fall Sale.

We will be showcasing our meats and give you our valued customers 10% off our regular price for mix & match boxes of our pastured organicly raised meats – Pork, Wagyu, Beef, Lamb and Goat. 25 lbs or more

Stock up on our best fresh cuts now and enter our drawing for fresh bacon next week!

Talk a walk around the farm and see what’s new. Oogle at the fancy chrysanthemums and citrus, and take home some delicious greens.

Sign up for fresh chickens the week of November 26 and fresh duck the week of December 17.

We are at the SJI farmers Market the 1st and 3rd Saturdays and the Farm Store is always open as self-serve; we are usually here, so beep, ring the bell, or call my cell if you need someone and don’t see us- Continue Reading

Known to its audiences as a celebration of spirited, innovative, and exuberant music, a concert by Childsplay offers a rare glimpse into the intricate weavings of Karan Casey’s beautiful voice, with the sound of all the violins from a single violinmaker, Bob Childs.

Childsplay will be coming to the Pacific Northwest in November 2018 starting with their performance at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, November 10th.

From rural dance halls to The Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., and from world music audiences in Europe to public radio listeners at home, Childsplay has been touring the United States and Europe since 1988. This will be their 30th anniversary tour. Supporting the twelve fiddlers is an all-star band, including an All-Ireland harpist, a driving rhythm section of guitar, banjo, bass and cellos, a virtuosic Irish flute player, stepdancers and the world’s foremost hambonist.

What is unique about Childsplay and central to the concept behind every performance is that all the fiddlers in the group perform on violins that violinmaker Bob Childs has made for them in his shop in Boston, hence the genesis and the double entendre on their name Childsplay. So their special sound lies not only in the skill of the musicians but in the warm familial timbre of the instruments they play.

The group’s passion, authenticity and artistry declare that traditional music, song, and dance are alive and well in North America. Captivating, inspiring, entertaining, life-affirming, call it what you will, the stick-to-your-ribs fiddling of Childsplay has become a jewel in the crown of American music.

Tickets:
Adults $40
Student Reserved $25
Student RUSH $5 (at door only)

Seats are limited. Buy your tickets now!

The Friday Harbor Winterfest begins December 1^st with the Island Lights Festival. The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Island Lights Festival on December 1st. This kickoff event for the holiday season on a Saturday this year so more families are able to attend! Once again the Chamber is partnering with the Whale Museum, Island Rec and the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild.

It will be a fun filled evening, starting with a Holiday Treats & Crafts at the Whale Museum , 3:30-5:00. Right after that all leave the Whale Museum and head down to Memorial Park, where all will join the local choirs for some caroling while sipping some hot chocolate and coffee provided by the Riptide Cafe.

Of course Santa Claus will arrive and turn on the lights, followed by more caroling before heading up to Brickworks for the Ag Guild’s Soup with Santa. Upon arriving at Brickworks one will find pictures with Santa, crafts with Island Rec and the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild will have local harvest soups, mac ‘n cheese and spiced local apple cider for sale.

For more details please contact the Chamber of Commerce 360-378-5240, [email protected].

Please do not mail your ballot at the Post Office after 3:00 p.m. today. If you do, it will not be postmarked in time to be counted.

Instead, take it to the Ballot Drop Box on the Courthouse lawn by 8:00 p.m.

Make sure your vote counts!

11/05/18 – Our first week of post season contests has been completed for some, and for others it is about to begin. All teams that made the post season are still in contention. Good luck to all as they continue to advance.

You can check out all post season brackets and parings by navigating through our league website at

http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/index.php?pid=0.5.45.0.300

Continue Reading

Amy Herdy won the Audience Choice Award for her film Bleeding Edge – Contributed photo

A local San Juan Island producer wins the Audience Choice Awards at the 2018 Friday Harbor Film Festival. 

Amy Herdy, producer of the Bleeding Edge was thrilled to win the Audience Choice Awards for the best film of the 2018 Friday Harbor Film Festival.  Her memorable quote when accepting the award was to the filmmakers themselves when she told them the 10 films she had watched “fed her soul and please give us more”. The winners of the categories were: 

• Explorers and Adventures: a thrilling high seas adventure, Ocean Warriors; Chasing the Thunder, 
• Tales of the Heart: Big Sonia, a Holocaust survivor explores the meaning of being a survivor., 
• Things to Consider: On Her Shoulders, Nadia Murad, the recent Nobel Peace Prize winners crusade to speak out.  
• Audience Choice Short: The 100 Year Old Whale, about our own local whale Granny.

Captain Paul Watson was awarded the Andrew V. McLaglen Lifetime Achievement Award to a standing ovation. Captain Watson received the award for his life‘s work with both Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd; as he is a true hero for the oceans. 

Paul Watson accepts the FHFF Lifetime Achievement Award – Contributed photo

San Juan Island composer Alex Shapiro was given the very well deserved Local Hero award for her Activism through Music.  Megan Vivenzio honored Alex with a special dance performance to her own music.   Continue Reading

Bowie, Baez and Elton are this week’s Pets of the Week – Contributed photo

Hello! We’re the Three Amigos – Bowie, Baez and Elton! We’re appearing now at the animal shelter. If you hurry you might make it in time to catch one of our performances.

We’re very talented – just wait until you hear us sing! We’re just 8 weeks old, and ready to start our solo careers. Call the animal shelter for an appointment to meet us. We’ll be tuning up!

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

Friday Harbor’s own Toy Box joins the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (Astra) in the Ninth Annual Celebration of Small Businesses Nationwide

Shop Local and Celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day November 10 in Advance of the First Holiday Shopping Season without Toys “R” US

The Toy Box will be one of hundreds of retailers across the country celebrating Neighborhood Toy Store Day on November 10, 2018. Spearheaded by ASTRA, the annual observance asks shoppers to remember the neighborhood toy stores in their communities as they kick off the holiday shopping season.

Scheduled ahead of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, the day offer shoppers discounts, special events and hands-on experiences with children’s toys. The annual celebration is perhaps more noteworthy than ever before, given the increased focus on the value of neighborhood toy stores in the wake of the Toys “R” Us bankruptcy. The Toy Box will offer fun, child-friendly activities such as instant discounts at the register, free samples, cookies! and Craft activities

“Our local stores make holiday shopping easier, by offering a personalized approach and customer service that one will not find shopping large retailers,” said Nancy Buechner, owner The Toy Box Friday Harbor. “Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to help you find that special toy. AND as always, we offer free gift wrapping.” Continue Reading

On Wednesday November 7, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a Special School Board Meeting at 4:30 pm in the School District Office.  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.     

Please see the agenda by accessing 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

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.