Here’s a note from Miles Crossen, the Superintendent of the photo exhibit at the fair…

Miles Crossen – Tim Dustrude photo

It’s almost time for the San Juan County Fair and as in years past the Photography Department need volunteers and judges. I especially need volunteers on Tuesday, Aug. 14 between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. to accept entries and put them up for display. I’ll be needing a minimum of four (4) judges, preferably six (6) for the judging of the entries. I’m hoping we can start the judging at about 7 p.m. (maybe 8 p.m.) on Tuesday. The judging generally takes about 90 minutes (sometimes more, sometimes less depending on the number of entries). Sadly the judges shouldn’t be entering any photographs in the competition.

I’ll also be needing some folks to man the Photography Department table, primarily to accept ‘People’s Choice’ votes from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Wedneday through Saturday.

And, if anyone is willing and able, please volunteer to help out on Sunday from 9 a.m. – noon to assist in shutting down of the display.

If you’re interested, please email me at [email protected]. I can definitely use your help this year.

Thanks.

Miles Crossen,
San Juan County Fair Photography Superintendent

Enchanted Evening: An Operatic Experience
Saturday, August 4th, 7:30PM & Sunday, August 5th, 2:00PM

These outstanding Seattle performers invite you to join them for an evening of music as varied as it is enjoyable. From classical to modern, from the sublime to the down-right silly, the selections will draw on famous composers from Puccini and Verdi to musical theater with a touch of the light-hearted thrown in. This show has something for everyone!

Two performances only! All ages welcome.

Adult (18+): $15.00
Youth (Ages 10-18): $5.00
Children (Ages 9 and under): Free!

Tickets available online at www.isleseattheatre.com or at the door.
For more information please visit our website or email us at [email protected]

Fellow Film Buffs, here is a description of our next movie:

Two Trains Runnin’
Documentary, Music NR  80 minutes
Tuesday July 31st at 7:30 pm

“Two Trains Runnin’” intermingles two completely unrelated non-fiction threads which converge in the state of Mississippi on June 21, 1964, One of them is triumphant, the other tragic.

One is a well-known story, the other is a mystery whose outcome is not so well-known. Both sections feature idealistic, college-aged White men from the North whose quests could not have been more different: One group came to the segregated South looking for musicians while the other sought justice. 

Hidden similarities emerge as “Two Trains Runnin’” rides towards its final destination.  This film will appeal to history buffs, particularly those interested in the civil rights movement, and people who enjoy the blues.

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning…

To the editor:

For more than fifty years my home base was on Waldron Island where I beachcombed logs to build a house and where I raised a family. During that time I also spent several years commuting to Mt. Vernon and Friday Harbor to work in their county health departments. I made the first inspection of the kitchen in the Friday Harbor Nursing Home, which much later became the Life Care Center. A friend of mine in the State Health Dept. said the Friday Harbor Nursing Home had the finest operation in Washington State.

A local couple, the Carters, founded the Home in the 1960’s or 70’s (here my memory fails me). They had a personal interest in the community, which contributed greatly to the success of the Home. Their daughter became a nurse and was employed by the Life Care Center at the time the Center closed last November.

I spent five years as a resident in the LCC and was recently turned out into the rain and wind, along with all staff, nurses, aides, and many others, who suddenly lost their jobs. In the end the LCC was not a life care facility, but was a corporation with no conscience. As a big money-making enterprise the corporation could have absorbed much of its loss in Friday Harbor and allowed the LCC to continue serving the community. Now that community has no nursing facility, something that it desperately needs.. To close it down with no warning or attempt to make it a more sustainable business seems criminal. Continue Reading

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

Hello there! I’m Romina, and I’m new at the animal shelter. Although I’m only about a year old, I’ve learned a lot in my life. Allow me to share some words of wisdom:

• Never interrupt when someone is saying nice things about you.
• If it itches, scratch it!
• Always resist the urge to get the squeaker out of a brand-new toy. (Once it’s out, the fun is over.)
• Trust your instincts. (Cats have claws!)
• Believe you are destined for great things.
• A lot of love and charm can fit into a 7 pound dog.
• Adopt a shelter pet – they’ll repay you in a thousand ways!

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
111 Shelter Road
(360) 378-2158

Photo courtesy of Ginny on Flickr

Annual Friends of the San Juan Island Library Book Sale

The summer book sale and one of the FOL’s main fundraisers will be help Saturday, August 4th, 10-4, at the library 1010 Guard Street.  This is not just a book sale but the Friends also will be selling jewelry and trinkets from our Treasure Cove store, plus t-shirts, book bags, and ice cream.

New this year is a silent auction of two Townie bicycles. They will be auctioned off separately–so it doubles your chances. These are available from a generous donation from one of our members.

Musical entertainment and door prizes will also be a part of the day.

All profits from our sale go to benefit the many programs offered by the library.

Volunteers are also needed both on Friday evening after 5pm and Saturday during the sale.  If you are able to give us a hand with set-up, working during the sale, or repacking leftover books, please contact Margaret Barker at 298-4161.

The newest ferry to join the WSF Fleet, M/V Suquamish – WSF photo

WSF is excited to announce that we officially took delivery of our fourth 144-car ferry, Suquamish, late yesterday, July 26, from shipbuilder Vigor.

Following outfitting, sea trials and crew training, the new Olympic Class ferry is scheduled to begin carrying passenger this fall.

Suquamish will operate on the Mukilteo/Clinton route in the summer and will serve as a maintenance relief vessel in the winter, filling in when other ferries are getting their much-needed maintenance and preservation work.

Welcome to the fleet, Suquamish! Suquamish means “people of the clear salt water” in Southern Coast Salish Lushootseed language, taken from the name of the beach on Agate Passage in Kitsap County.

Island Rec’s Free Movies in the Park series for 2018 is right around the corner!

Saturday evenings in August (and the 1st of September), beginning at dusk on each Saturday of the month in Sunken Park, Island Rec will be hosting its free event: Movies in the Park.

For week one, August 4th, we are showing Guardians of the Galaxy. Space adventurer Peter Quill (played by Chris Pratt) finds himself the quarry of relentless bounty hunters after he steals an orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain. To evade Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with four disparate misfits: Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Gamora, and Drax.

Sunset- 8:44 pm, Movie begins around 9pm.

Come early with your blankets and chairs and find your friendly neighbors at this wonderful community event. Movies typically begin 15-20 minutes after sunset.

Please, no alcohol. Pack it in, pack it out.

The rest of the season’s movies that follow will be:

• August 11^th – Space Jam – Sunset – 8:33 pm
• August 25^th – The Secret Life of Pets – Sunset – 8:07 pm
• September 1^st – The Jungle Book (2016) – Sunset – 7:53 pm

Go to www.islandrec.org or call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information. Sponsored by FANS – Families and Neighbors support Island Rec.

On Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 6:30 PM the San Juan Island Library is hosting a Teen Karaoke Pizza Party. The Party is in celebration of the summer reading program theme, Libraries Rock!

Bring your friends and try your hand at Karaoke with a mix of current hits and Broadway show tunes. Sing duets, solos, or in groups. For grades 6th-12th. 

All pizzas, beverages, and other refreshments are provided courtesy of the Friends of the San Juan Island Library. The Party will be held in the main area of the library and words to the songs will be displayed on the library’s drop-down projection screen.

For more information, contact the San Juan Island Library at 360-378-2798 or stop by the library today at 1010 Guard St. in Friday Harbor.

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Merri Ann Simonson shares some real estate buying tips with you…

1. Select an Agent to Represent You

As you may be aware, all of the brokerage firms on San Juan Island are members of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service; therefore, any of the agents can assist you with any of the properties listed with Coldwell Banker or other brokerage firms. One of the first steps in purchasing real estate on San Juan is to select an agent to represent you. Ideally you should select ONE agent that you feel will provide you with the level of customer service that you require.

It is important for you to understand the Law of Real Estate Agency. The State law allows for three types of agency representation:

Continue reading… (PDF)

Regrettably, approximately 75% of newborns in the recent two decades following designation of the Southern Resident killer whale (orca) population as “Endangered” have not survived, and 100% of the pregnancies in the past three years have failed to produce viable offspring.

Neonate’s face – Photo by Michael Weiss, Center for Whale Research

The following is some sad news from the Center for Whale Research…

We are saddened to report that a baby Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) died a short time after it was born near Victoria, British Columbia on July 24, 2018. The newborn whale was reported alive and swimming with its mother, J35, and other members of J pod near Clover Point on the Victoria shoreline in mid-morning. A Center for Whale Research team was on the water in Haro Strait at the time and immediately responded to photo-document the newborn calf for the long-term census study we maintain for the US and Canadian governments.

J35’s calf was female – Photo by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research

Unfortunately, by the time the CWR crew arrived on scene, the newborn calf was deceased, and the pod had traveled several miles eastward of the reported sighting location. The baby’s carcass was sinking and being repeatedly retrieved by the mother who was supporting it on her forehead and pushing it in choppy seas toward San Juan Island, USA. The mother continued supporting and pushing the dead baby whale throughout the day until at least sunset.

A resident of San Juan Island near Eagle Cove reported:

“At sunset, a group of 5-6 females gathered at the mouth of the cove in a close, tight-knit circle, staying at the surface in a harmonious circular motion for nearly 2 hours. As the light dimmed, I was able to watch them continue what seemed to be a ritual or ceremony. They stayed directly centered in the moonbeam, even as it moved. The lighting was too dim to see if the baby was still being kept afloat. It was both sad and special to witness this behavior. My heart goes out to J35 and her beautiful baby; bless it’s soul.” Continue Reading

Kayak at Turn Island – Tim Dustrude photo

Hard to believe there’s no one there but me at Turn Island on a beautiful mid-July evening.

Ahh… just living the dream.

Larry Soll shares this invitation with you…

Dear Friends,

There is going to be a very special evening of music and celebration for an even more “special” cause.  Many of you know Maria Michaelson, an island native who as a teenager traveled by herself to central Africa to learn how village women made incredible sculptures.  Her studies have taken her around the world and her work is truly exceptional.  Eben Shay is a more recent transplant; he arrived as a carpenter but, after meeting Maria, started creating beautiful art, first in wood and, more recently in bronze.  This young couple is now hoping to nucleate an island renaissance and are building an art center.  I could not be more pleased to help and hope you will join me.  And did I mention the desserts and music will be incredible?

Larry Soll

A Win, Win, Win!

It isn’t easy these days to imagining actually winning but here is an opportunity for a Perfecta.  There is going to be a benefit for the new Alchemy Art Center on September 1st at the San Juan Community Theatre in conjunction with a concert featuring The Birds of Chicago and you are invited.  With a donation of $100 to the Alchemy Art Center you get the following: Continue Reading

The following is an invitation to you from Ruth at Waterworks Gallery…

The Next Generation of Jewelers – A Curated Jewelry Show
July 27 – September 1, 2018

Selected Jewelers:

• Jennifer Bennett
• Nina Raizell Hartman
• Erika Laureno
• Micki Lippe
• Tegan Wallace
• Sara Wilbanks

Jewelry is very personal expression. All selected jewelers work daily in their studio making work for our personal ornamentation. Each jeweler, in their respective medium; silver, polymer clay, brass or gemstones creates pieces that intrigue our eyes, delight the wearer and allow us, the individual experience a piece of jewelry.

Reception for the jewelers on Friday, July 27th 4-7 pm

On Saturday, July 28th from 11 to 1 pm at the gallery, the attending jewelers will walk thru the show and chat about their works and answer questions.

The following was shared with you by the SJC Prosecutor’s Office…

Former Teacher Gerald Grellet-Tinner’s petition for a citizen complaint for a misdemeanor charge against former Detective Stephen Parker was rejected today by District Court Judge Stewart Andrew.  

Judge Stewart Andrew wrote that the “Prosecutor’s office has shown no bad faith or inappropriate reasons for not filing charges against Mr. Parker.  In short, the court finds there is no abuse of prosecutorial discretion.  After considering the seven factors described in CrRLJ 2.1(c), the court concludes the prosecutor’s decision to not file charges is justified.  The Petition to file a Citizen’s Complaint against Mr. Parker is denied.” 

Grellet-Tinner was seeking the charges based upon a written statement delivered to Deputy Lori Sigman of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office at her office in Mount Vernon regarding the lack of a relationship between Mr. Parker and the victim/student being investigated in a case regarding the teacher on charges of sexual misconduct in the first degree.

Judge Andrew’s decision is consistent with the decision made by the Skagit County Prosecutor’s Office.  That office was asked to make charging decisions by San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney Randall Gaylord.  The Skagit Prosecutors declined to file charges in January 2017. 

At a hearing on May 30, 2018, San Juan County Prosecutors expressed concern for the student/victim with going through another trial. “She has been victimized enough.  There is so little to be gained and so much to lose. It really would be remarkable if this were allowed to happen at the request of the teacher,” said Mr. Gaylord.

Prosecutors also said that Grellet-Tinner and his attorney, Nick Power, had a financial motive that tainted the entire process.  Judge Andrew said, “Presumably the pending tort claim against the county skews the Petitioner’s judgment.  Mr. Parker’s conviction would benefit the Petitioner as Plaintiff in the tort lawsuit.  This motive is improper.”

Other complexities were also considered by the court including the long delay since the incident and the fact that Mr. Parker now lives in Florida.  “San Juan County has never extradited from another state on a misdemeanor charge, not even from Oregon or Idaho,” Mr. Gaylord explained.  

Sailboats racing in the 2013 Shaw Island Classic – Contributed photo

The 48th Annual Shaw island Classic Sailboat Race, sponsored by the San Juan Island Yacht Club, will be held Saturday, August 11th, 2018. The race, run for nearly 50 years, is a highlight of the summer boating calendar with over 40 sailboats from under 20 to over 50 feet competing in multiple classes. All eligible boats and crews are invited to participate.

The race starts and ends in Friday Harbor and allows racers to circumnavigate Shaw Island in either direction. A hearty lasagna dinner and awards presentation is held at the San Juan Island Yacht Club after the race.

The public can view the race from the shores of San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw Islands, as well as from ferries transiting the course.

The race is open to multihulls, unballasted centerboards, registered PHRF sailboats and cruising sailboats of all sizes and rigs, each with their own race class. Trophies will be awarded for the first three finishers in each class based on corrected time, adjusted for time-on-time based on PHRF or committee assigned ratings.

Entry and Notice of Race forms may be downloaded from the San Juan Island Yacht Club website at www.sjiyc.com or by contacting the fleet captain at 360.788.3506 or [email protected]