San Juan County: A Burn Ban [began] Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at noon. Elevated temperatures for extended periods and our lack of precipitation has created a high fire danger in San Juan County, and across the region. San Juan County will be prohibiting all outdoor burning with the exception of propane barbecues.

No outdoor fires of any kind are allowed. This includes recreational fires as well as the use of backyard fire kettles, chimneys, or fire pits.

Similar bans are already in effect throughout all lands protected by the Department of Natural Resources and throughout Island , Skagit, and Whatcom Counties.

It is worth noting that Washington State Parks may have different rules for burning. https://parks.state.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/5654/Statewide-Burn-Ban?bidId=

Changes to burning restrictions are likely to continue into the fall when the seasonal rains return. Check the San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office website for the most up to date burning information. https://www.sanjuanco.com/1091/Fire-Risk-Burn-Permits

Lee Harman’s 1938 Model-A Ford Victoria, “Miss Vicky” – Contributed photo

Just a reminder, coming up on Sunday, it’s the Concours d’Élégance at San Juan Vineyards.

Special Guest:  Rotarian Lee Harman with his 1938 Model A Ford Victoria “Miss Vicky”. They have entered the 10,000 mile race, Peking to Paris Endurance Motor Challenge, to bring awareness to End Polio Now eradication program.

Here is the schedule for the day’s events:

• 9 – 10:30  Entrant Parking – Registration $30 car (2nd Car $20) motorcycle $15
• 9 – Noon  Refreshments (Peace Health volunteers)
• 11 – 3     Open to spectators (suggested donation $10)
• 12 – 2   Argyle Street Jazz Band performing in pavilion
• 12 – 2   Pizzas by Rotarians Mayer & Sibert, wine/beverages for sale in pavilion
• 1:30     People’s Choice Award Voting ends
• 2:00     Presentation of Awards
• 3:00     Concours closes

Bill Severson with the SJI Trails Committee invites you to this hike next Saturday…

Doug McCutchen with the Land Bank will lead us on a walk on Mount Grant.  Maybe he can show us progress on the trail system in the Mount Grant preserve. 

Terrain is moderate mostly on road surfaces.  Dogs on leash are welcome. Meet at Mount Grant parking area, approximately 5 miles from town on Beaverton Valley Road.

Saturday August 25, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

San Juan Island National Historical Park Issues Fire Restrictions

Due to very dry conditions and increasing fire danger on San Juan Island, Superintendent Elexis Fredy has announced fire restrictions in San Juan Island National Historical Park.

Beginning August 21, 2018, fire restrictions prohibit:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, charcoal grill, tiki torches, incense burners, candles, propane campfires, or wood burning stoves, including in developed picnic grounds. Devices using pressurized liquid or gas are not exempted
• Fireworks are prohibited at all times within San Juan Island National Historical Park.

These fire restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

The Center for Whale Research shares this announcement…

We are excited to announce the official grand opening of the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center. And you’re invited! 

The grand opening will be held on Tuesday, August 21 at the education center which is located at 185 S. First Street in downtown Friday Harbor. A ribbon cutting ceremony will start things off at 11:30 am. Afterward, and throughout the day, there will be demonstrations of all of our exciting exhibits including the latest footage from our drone plus interactive photo ID programs and our new app.

Center for Whale Research staff will be on hand to show you around and answer questions about the whales. We look forward to seeing you there to help us celebrate!

Fellow Film Buffs,

Here is a description of our next movie…

Dark Money
Tuesday August 21 7:30 pm
Documentary 99 minutes

Dark Money examines one of the greatest present threats to American democracy: the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials.

The film takes viewers to Montana – a front line in the fight to preserve fair elections nationwide – to follow an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impact of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Through this gripping story, Dark Money uncovers the shocking and vital truth of how American elections are bought and sold.

As the movie makes depressingly clear, the war on dark money is a long way from won, but at least there’s still some light in this fight.  If you have any interest in the role special interests in our political system or care about the future of the country, do not miss this film.

The SJC Democrats invite you to this event on Wednesday night…

Please join us at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 22 at Brickworks in Friday Harbor to hear and participate in a discussion of recent developments in U.S. foreign, trade, and immigration policies in the Trump era, followed by Q&A. The discussion will be led by Susan Martin and Necia Quast, both residents of San Juan Island.

The event is sponsored by, and is a fundraiser for, the San Juan County Democrats.

The title of the event is “The Abandonment of U.S. International Leadership”. Discussion will focus on our country’s withdrawal from international agreements and institutions; turning away from democracy and the rule of law; support for authoritarian regimes; attacks on our allies and the press; and other trends. We will tackle changes in refugee and immigration policies that have profound consequences at home and for U.S. international leadership, including responsibility for refugees; the Muslim ban; zero tolerance, family separation and detention; withdrawal of Temporary Protected Status; the ending of DACA; and efforts to limit legal immigration to the U.S.

Susan Martin and Necia Quast are highly-qualified to lead this event, with both having extensive experience and expertise in the subjects to be discussed. Continue Reading

Mayor Farhad Ghatan is seeking one youth representative for appointment to the Friday Harbor Arts Commission (FHAC). This appointee willl join seven other commissioners in representing the interests of the Town, community, and local artists as they advise the Town Council on the cultivation, selection, acquisition, and placement of public art.

“This is an excellent opportunity for a student to pursue their interest in the arts as well as gain experience in local government and strengthen their college credentials,” said Town Administrator Duncan Wilson.

The youth will serve a one-year term from October 2018 to August 2019 as a non-voting member of the commission. The FHAC meets at 5 pm the second Tuesday of each month. Commissioners may be asked to attend additional meetings and work sessions as needed. Candidates ages 16 to 19 with experience, background, involvement, or interest in visual, performing, or literary art should provide a letter of interest addressed to the Mayor. Applicants may choose to include examples of their art or experience.

Application review will continue until the position is filled. For specifics on the responsibilities of the commission, applicants are encouraged to read the FHAC ordinance and policies posted on the Town website at www.fridayharbor.org.

Questions and application letter should be directed to:

Attn: Julie Greene
Town of Friday Harbor
60 Second Street/PO Box 219
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

[email protected]

And just like that, the 2018 San Juan County Fair is history. Click below to see images from Day Four. Continue Reading

Matthew Steed and Greg Conner of Eat Local Foods – SJ Update photo

Some remarkable frozen meals are coming to King’s Market. Eat Local is a 12 year old company out of Seattle that specializes in fine frozen foods. They currently have 3 retail locations, (on Capitol Hill, Queen Anne and Burien), and a few stores that sell some of their products, but King’s Market in Friday Harbor is the first to carry their entire selection of foods outside of their own stores.

150 different frozen dinners will be available, and there is a “grand opening” of sorts happening this weekend – Saturday and Sunday from around 11:00 am until 4:00 pm with free samples and the owners on hand to share information and answer questions.

You can learn more about the meals they offer at their website: www.eatlocalonline.com.

Food cases over by the deli at King’s will soon be filled with Eat Local products – SJ Update photo

Island Senior is a regular column on the SJ Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…

Author Eva L. Elasigue –
Peggy Sue McRae photo

You don’t have to spend much time here to realize that we have a wealth of local talent on our small Island. Our artists, musicians, and thespians are often on display but it is unusual to see a room full of local writers. Last Saturday nineteen writers gathered at the Mullis Center for a Local Author Book Event, an event planned to happen again in November.

If you write or aspire to write there is nothing more inspiring than talking to people who do it. Janet Dann was there with a trilogy of historical fiction begun by her father, an author who passed his literary project on to her when he died. I went home with a copy of The Good Neighbors, the first volume in the trilogy that she not only completed but also illustrated. I also went home with a signed copy of Paul Chadwick’s graphic novel Think Like a Mountain, a tale wherein his popular character Concrete joins up with radical eco-activists. Then just to round out the variety in my own book bag my final acquisition was a set of The Wisdom of Mary Magdalene cards and booklet by Sharon Hooper, a professional certified coach and author of From Dreams to Action: A Proven Method to Achieve Your Goals.

Author Tami Oldham Ashcraft – Peggy Sue McRae photo

Bruce Conway was there to talk self-publishing with a large sampling of books he has helped bring into the world. Others brought art books, works of non-fiction, health, history, and memoir. Tami Oldham Ashcraft brought her suspenseful memoir, Adrift, “Now a Major Motion Picture“. Tami was there with both versions of her book. The original book titled Red Sky in Mourning is the one that kept me up all night turning pages. Eva L. Elasigue the author of the fantasy space opera trilogy Bones of Starlight, brought the tools of her trade including an entire manuscript typed on a real typewriter. Adding to the conviviality, Stan the wine man provided wine and sparkling water to purchase.

If you missed it this time watch for the November event. Bring your book club or your writing group. Don’t miss this opportunity to speak with authors and pick up signed editions of their work.

Click below to see more images from the San Juan County Fair. These are all from Day Three Continue Reading

Emily Anton – Contributed photo

This Fall, Dance Workshop 2 welcomes Emily Anton as artistic director and ballet teacher. Owner and current director Lina Downes is so excited to be entrusting Emily with the future of the ballet program that she has run continuously since 2006.

Following a successful performing career as a professional ballet dancer in New York City and around the country, Emily Anton taught as a guest teacher at a number of dance schools up and down the west coast. After being at home amongst the craziness of NYC for years, Emily is quite ready to settle down in Friday Harbor to mentor, dance and teach the art form of ballet. She is thrilled to inherit the ballet program.

“I feel blessed by this opportunity to mold young minds, promote health and wellness in all ages, and celebrate the beautiful artistry of classical ballet. I love ballet with all my heart and soul and am deeply passionate about its continuing performance.” Emily is eager to share her knowledge of dance and movement with the next generation of dancers, boys and girls, to help them discover the joy, love, discipline, hard work and focus of ballet. Continue Reading

First Ever Sale of Leo Lambiel’s Personal Art Collection to Benefit Orcas Center

Leo Lambiel may be the greatest San Juan Islands art collector of all time. After almost 50 years of collecting, the Leo Lambiel Art Sale on 25 & 26 August 2018, held at Lambiel’s waterfront home on the east shore of Eastsound, will be the first ever, one-time sale to the public of his personal, unique collection of fine and decorative, original art.

Featuring over 260 artists, most of whom presently or at one point lived in the San Juan Islands over the last 100 years, the sale boasts thousands of pieces including rugs, paintings, cartoons, quilts, blown glass, etchings, sculptures, antique clocks and books, furniture and ceramics. Hours on Saturday are 10am to 5pm and Sunday are 11am to 3pm.  

The personal collection of Leo Lambiel

Lambiel began his collection in the late 1960’s and has lived with some of San Juan Island artists’ greatest masterpieces, including 179 works by Helen Loggie whom the Library of Congress, National Academy of Design & Seattle MET named “San Juan’s most famous artist.” Loggie came to Orcas from Bellingham in the 1930s. She made etchings of natural surroundings, including her most famous “The King Goblin,” a drawing of an iconic juniper tree on the island which hangs in Lambiel’s bedroom. Continue Reading

ATF Offers $10,000 Reward for Information on Explosives Placed on Orcas Island

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering up to a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for placing explosives near a trail in the San Juan County Land Bank Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands.

ATF and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the discovery of the explosives by an island resident on Monday, Aug. 6.

It is not known when the device was placed, nor is it known if other devices have been placed.

ATF and the SJCO are requesting that residents and visitors pay close attention to their surroundings and report any suspicious objects they find. If a suspicious object is found, people are requested to stay as far away from it as possible when calling 911. It is also requested that individuals keep others from entering the area.

Anyone with information on the person or persons who placed the device; hears or has heard loud explosions, either in the recent past or in the future; or finds a site that appears to have had an explosion there, are asked to call ATF at our toll free hotline, 888-ATF-TIPS (283-8477). All calls to ATF can remain anonymous.

People can also submit a tip through ATF’s new “report it” app available at www.reportit.com and at Google Play and the Apple App Store. All tips are confidential and can be anonymous.

More information about ATF and its programs are available at www.atf.gov.

Click below to see more images from the San Juan County Fair. These are all from Day Two Continue Reading